Unfazed By Opposition’s Pushback, Govt To Table Third Agri-Reform Bill In Rajya Sabha Today

With the successful passage of two agri-marketing reform bills despite aggressive pushback from the opposition camps, the Government is set to table in the Rajya Sabha the third and only remaining bill today (22 September), reports Times of India.

If passed, the bill would replace the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which the Government had brought in place as a part of its Aatmanirbhar Bharat policy push. If and when passed, the legislation would allow the Government to regulate the supply of certain food items only under extraordinary circumstances, such as wars and famines.

As per the legislation, stock limits would thereafter only be imposed on agricultural produce if the prices witness a steep increase.

It should meanwhile be noted that the passage of the previous two bills had witnessed a stormy reception in the Rajya Sabha, with the members of opposition camp going stooping to unruly scenes which ultimately led to the suspension of eight MPs including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Sanjay Singh and Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s Derek O'Brien.