MVA would withdraw amendment bills from a competent authority that were introduced to counteract Central Agricultural Laws

As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2022 approach, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will withdraw three amendment proposals tabled in the state legislature's monsoon session, soon after the Parliament passed a bill repealing three contentious farm regulations against which farmers have been protesting for over a year. The state cabinet, which will be chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today, is expected to approve the withdrawal of bills amending the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.

All such bills were introduced in response to the Centre's three farm laws, and the government solicited feedback from a variety of stakeholders. The government will introduce a new bill seeking legislative approval for the withdrawal of the three amendment bills during the upcoming winter session, which begins on December 22. For harassment of farmers, the three proposals recommended a higher than minimum support price (MSP) rate for producers in farming agreements with traders, timely payment of dues, a three-year prison sentence with a fine of 5 lakhs. Furthermore, the state will have the authority to restrict and ban the manufacture, supply, and distribution of critical commodities, as well as impose stock limitations.

Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act of 2020 recommended that farming agreements between traders and farmers be deemed invalid if the price of agricultural produce offered is less than the MSP. If the farmer is not paid within seven days following the sale of his produce, the merchant may be charged with a criminal offense, punishable by up to three years in lock-up with a fine of 5 lakhs. No trader shall trade in any scheduled agriculture produce unless he has a valid license from a competent authority, according to the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020

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