Swadeshi Jagaran Manch flags need to protect farmers, have 'Farmers court'

Even as the NDA government’s farm bills triage continues being met with strong protest by opposition parties as well as farmer groups, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) the affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has asked for assured MSP for farmers, saying this should also be available in the non ‘regulated’ open market that exists for the corporates.

Both Houses of Parliament cleared the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020; the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020; and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. Speaking to The Federal, SJM’s national co-convenor while welcoming the intent of the bill has however raised the issue of lack of mention of MSP related issues in the bill and has asked for new legislation (or an amendment in the existing ones) that protects farmers from corporate exploitation. He also flagged the issue of the need for a ‘Farmers Court’ since it is not fair to expect a farmer to approach a Sub Divisional Magistrates court to resolve their disputes.

Listen to the Podcast Interview with SJM’s National Co-Convenor Ashwini Mahajan