Punjab To Bring Amendment Bills Again To Negate Farm Laws, CM Cites Pakistan Threat For Early Resolution

An all-party meeting was convened by CM Amarinder Singh over the matter of farmers' protest and farm laws. All parties of the state except BJP attended the meeting.

Photo: Twitter/@capt_amarinder

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh revealed that the state government is planning to introduce amendment bills again to negate the "draconian" agrarian laws in the Vidhan Sabha while the Governor did not send the earlier bills to President Ram Nath Kovind. 

"We will bring the bills again as the Constitution provides that if bills are passed twice by the Vidhan Sabha, they have to be sent by the Governor to the President," Amarinder Singh said, expressing dissatisfaction over how Governor sat over the bills.

The state is empowered to amend the laws under Article 254 (ii) of the Constitution, he said.

After the farm laws were passed, President Kovind has not met any Punjab leaders even though there were requests for discussion on the matter while he also did not receive the bills passed by the state assembly. The Chief Minister informed that he will seek time from the President again.

An all-party meeting was convened by CM Amarinder Singh over the matter of farmers' protest and farm laws. All parties of the state except the BJP took part in it.

Capt. Amarinder Singh informed that he is in constant touch with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue. He further emphasised the need to resolve the crisis, as according to him the threat from Pakistan could not be undermined.

"We have to work to resolve this issue before things go out of hand," he said, adding that he was aware of how many drones, arms, and ammunition are being smuggled into the state from across the border.

The Punjab CM also brought up Operation Bluestar saying how it happened soon after prolonged two-month negotiations on a list of some 42 demands. "If anger builds here, it will be exploited," he warned.

"We will have to raise a united voice of Punjab" and If there is no peace here, no industry will come to the state, he said.

The Chief Minister also criticised the union government stating that it still owes the state Rs 13,000 crore of GST, which it has held back, along with Rs 1,200 crore of RDF.

Shromani Akali Dal leader Prem Singh Chandumajra has suggested that the state government provide loan waiver to the families of all those who died during the ongoing farmers' agitation. A suggestion, which the CM promised to look into.

Amarinder Singh had said in the meeting how the aim is to put across a consensus that sends out the message of how whole is with the protesting farmers, who fed the nation right since the Green Revolution.

He expressed regret on how according to him New Delhi failed to listen to the voice of Punjab and its farmers. He added that the Centre, instead of seeing the pain and discomfort of farmers braving the winter at Delhi borders, seemed to have hardened its stance against them.