Farm laws to benefit a handful of capitalists and industrialists – Shetti

Aurangabad, July 11:

The central government has made three agricultural laws for the benefit of a handful of capitalists and industrialists and not for farmers. If these laws are upheld, the people of the country will have to starve for food. The situation would be more dangerous than a hydrogen bomb attack. Therefore, every section of the society should fight vigorously against these laws, appealed Raju Shetti, president of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana.

He was speaking in an online lecture series organised by the Lok Samvad Foundation on 'New Agricultural Laws and Delhi Farmers Movement' on Sunday. Shetti said that the farmers never demanded the three laws passed by the central government. During the lockdown, the country's economy was saved only by agriculture. Hence many big capitalists began to see profits in agriculture. The industrialists showed willingness to invest heavily to make profit. Thus these laws have come into existence. Farmers must get the guaranteed price announced by the government. However, it is not provided for in the law. Onion exports were halted. The government intervenes when the prices of agricultural commodities go up. But never let the farmers make profits. The change in the essential commodities act is to enable industrialists to stockpile agricultural commodities. These industrialists will initially close down the market committees by buying agricultural commodities. The concept of buying agricultural commodities from the farms is good. But many traders buy farm produce by acquiring the trust of farmers, but never pay. Shetti also raised the question of who will protect the farmers. Association secretary Dr Ganesh Mohite, Dr Kailash Ambhure and Sanket Kulkarni were present.