Defanging #APMCs mean

Farmers can sell directly to processors,at price they wish to,with no middlemen

Farmers can sell beyond Notified Mandi

#MSP to continue

#TradeCartelisation to end

@narendramodi gov creating single #AgriMarket
My Oped @firstpost https://www.firstpost.com/india/defanging-outmoded-apmc-model-and-altering-essential-commodities-act-will-unlock-value-empower-farmer-writes-bjp-economist-8374491.html

While @HarsimratBadal_ has politicised the issue, #Punjab,an @INCIndia ruled State,is one of the few States that already allows #ContractFarming,in select commodities,to farmers,via separate State legislation..So opposition to #FarmBills by Congressis&Akalis,is not about Farmers!

Are #Akalis opposed to #FarmBills of @narendramodi govt,as these Bills once they become Acts,will strip Mandi Traders,wily Commission Agents,Food Processors,Exporters&Marketing Committees of #APMCs,of the brazen power they wield,forcing farmers to sell their produce,dirt cheap?

Farm legislations will allow @narendramodi govt to invoke #EssentialCommoditiesAct only if retail prices rise 50% for non-perishables&100% for perishables, over average retail prices in preceding 12months or last five years--diluting EC Act of 1955,is last nail for Nehruvianism!

Earlier,due to EC Act,there were Stock limits&restrictions on quantity that #FoodTraders could buy from #Farmers;Due to lack of storage,farmers would get rid of surplus at distress prices--Now,with no stock limits,both traders& farmers,will gain,without fear of hoarding surplus

Why are "Farmers" protesting?

Let us get this clear--it is not farmers but wealthy owners of existing Mandis,with political connect,who are protesting,as #Mandis set up under #APMC Acts,have been excluded from definition of #TradeArea,under new legislation by @narendramodi govt

Why did @narendramodi gov exclude existing Mandis from definition of trade area?

It was done to give #Farmers a choice-they can sell either in Mandi or new #TradeArea,outside current #Mandi

Mandi owners don't want competition-- @narendramodi has broken their monopoly;that simple

Why are protests largely in Punjab?

Bills by @narendramodi gov say,no fees will be levied on farmers/ traders,in #TradeArea

Charges in Punjab are 8.5%-Market fee of 3%,Rural development charge of 3%&Middleman commission of 2.5%

No wonder,vested interests from #Punjab are vexed

Also,under new system by @narendramodi gov,any trader with PAN card can get license&buy farm produce from trade area or Mandi

It means more competition for Middlemen or #Arhatiyas,who till now,had monopoly in Mandis

More players in Mandi,will reduce transaction cost for farmers

Protests about #DisputeResolution are misguided

Any dispute between #Farmer& counter-party will be settled by #ConciliationBoard,appointed by Sub Divisional Magistrate

Why go to #CivilCourts,which are already burdened,is the logic by @narendramodi govt&it is absolutely right!