Harsimrat Kaur Badal Quits Union Cabinet To Protest Against Modi Govt's Farm Bills

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Akali Dal's lone minister in the Narendra Modi government, on Thursday resigned from the Union Cabinet to protest the farm bills.

Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal had earlier on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha that Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Minister for Food Processing, will resign in protest as the government tabled two more farm-sector related bills in the lower house amid widespread protests by farmers in Punjab and Haryana.

"I announce that Harsimrat Kaur Badal will resign from the government," Sukhbir Badal has been quoted as saying. The Akalis though will continue to support the Narendra Modi led central government.

The Akali Dal had also protested against the first of three such bills, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

The farm reform bills namely The Farmers' Produce Trade And Commerce (Promotion And Facilitation) Bill', 'The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill', and 'The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill' have been touted as game-changers for the farm sectors.

One of the key features of these bills is freeing farmers from government controlled market and prices, thereby allowing them to directly deal with private companies for a better price for their produce.

With Inputs From IANS