BJP ally JD(U)’s secretary-general KC Tyagi suggested that the committee could have included one or two experts, who have been openly critical of the farm laws, so as to maintain balance.
The opposition does not seem to be satisfied with the expert committee founded by the apex court Tuesday to resolve the issues related to three new agri-marketing laws, which have stirred massive protests around the borders of the national capital.
Bhupinder Mann of AIKCC, agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, Dr Pramod Kumar Joshi (former Director National Academy of Agricultural Research Management) and Anil Ghanwat are the members of the committee mentioned by the CJI-led bench.
Congress leader and former President of the party, Rahul Gandhi, tweeted in Hindi raising questions over the neutrality of the committee formed by the top court.
“Can we expect justice from people who have written in favour of the anti-farming laws? This struggle will continue until the anti-farmers, anti-workers laws are repealed,” Mr Gandhi said.
Congress leader and MP from Thiruvananthpuram, Shashi Tharoor, said: “Forming this committee must have been a real challenge. How to find four people from among the very few in the country supporting the farm bills to be in it? They managed that; now how will they manage to find a solution with four minds already made up?”
RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwari said, “We welcome the reservations expressed by the apex court against the new farm laws, but it should have rather repealed the Acts. The laws were enacted in utmost haste through ordinance without any debate in Parliament. It is to support the interest of multinational corporations, which want to control the agriculture sector of the country.”
Speaking to Times of India, Mr Tiwari said: “It is known to most people that except Bhupinder Singh Mann, the three other members are supportive of the new laws. They have written columns in support of the new legislation. There is a clear element of doubt with regard to the functioning and outcome of this committee.”
Madan Mohan Jha, the Bihar Congress president, said: “We welcome the Supreme Court decision as it has given time to the government to take appropriate steps to address the farmers’ woes with regard to the new laws. However, our own opinion is that these contentious legislations should be repealed.”
Sukhbir Badal, the President of Shiromani Akali Dal, said: “The committee formed by SC, comprising supporters of #AntiFarmerActs, is a joke & unacceptable. It exposes the nexus between Punjab CM @capt_amarinder & BJP-led Centre @Akali_Dal_ also objects to GoI allegations in SC that Khalistani elements have infiltrated the protest.”
Even BJP’s ally JD(U) did not seem happy with the developments. JD(U)’s secretary-general KC Tyagi suggested that the committee could have included one or two experts, who have been openly critical of the farm laws, so as to maintain balance. “JD(U) had supported the three farm bills in Parliament. But we are of the view that there should be a middle path in the light of the farmers’ concerns. Based on talks with agitating farmers, the government was ready to make certain amendments, but it could not resolve the matter. Now, it is imperative for the government to take all necessary steps to break the deadlock,” Tyagi added, TOI reported.
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