Stubble Burning Decriminalized; Agriculture Minister Asks Protesting Farmers To "Go Home"

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said that farmer organizations had demanded to decriminalize stubble burning and that government has accepted this demand. This comes when the national capital is choking on the polluted air everyday with AQI going as high as 450.

Stubble burning is one of the sources of the pollution that shrouds Northern India during this time, every year and hence, govt's decision has sparked a huge debate. If this actually passes all the levels of legislature, stubble burning won¡¯t remain a criminal offence anymore.

BCCL

"End agitation and return home"

He also said that the bill to withdraw the farm laws will be tabled on the first day of the winter session of Parliament. The agriculture minister also urged the farmers to end their agitation and return home.

"After the announcement of the repeal of the three farm laws, there is no point in continuing farmers' agitation. I urge farmers to end their agitation and go home," Tomar told ANI.

BCCL

Bill to repeal farm laws on Monday

Tomar is expected to present a bill in Lok Sabha on Monday to repeal the three farm laws. The BJP has issued a whip to its Lok Sabha MPs to be present on the day.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the three controversial farm bills would be rolled back. The farmer unions have welcomed the PM's announcement, but have said that the protest would go on till the laws are formally repealed and other demands are met.

Reuters

Farmers' march to parliament

Farmers have also announced that they will they will march to the Parliament on Monday - 60 tractors and over 1,000 people, according to farmer leader Rakesh Tikait - to underline their resolve in this matter.

Tomar said that a committee will be constituted to discuss the issues that have been raised by the farmers. "PM Narendra Modi has announced to constitute a committee to deliberate on the issues of crop diversification, zero-budget farming and making minimum support price (MSP) system more transparent and effective," Tomar said.

Committee to have representatives from farmers' organisations

The agriculture minister said that this committee would have representatives from farmers' organisations.

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To protest against the three farm laws, thousands of farmers have gathered at the borders of the capital New Delhi to protest against the three farm laws. The rollback of the laws comes just ahead of critical elections in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

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