Chandigarh, September 22, 2020: Five Punjab MLAs led by Sukhpal Singh Khaira, former leader of the Opposition and founder Punjab Ekta Party, have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to exclude/exempt Punjab from implementation of the recently enacted anti farmer laws by your government under Article 371 of the constitution.
The following are contents of the letter:
"Sir,
As you are aware there is massive hue, cry and resentment against the recently enacted anti farmer laws by your government. Almost all political parties barring the BJP, all farmers organisations i.e. BKU’s, farm labourers and commission agents have opposed the said laws tooth and nail and are constantly agitating in form of massive “Dharna’s”, despite corona virus threat. The situation in Haryana is almost similar to that of Punjab in opposing the new anti-farmer laws.
Sir, it is pertinent to mention here that even the Vidhan Sabha of Punjab has passed a unanimous resolution dated 28.08.2020 to oppose the three agri ordinances that have now been enacted as laws. The unanimous resolution of the Vidhan Sabha represents the sentiments of 2.75 crore population of Punjab.
Sir, it is also noteworthy to mention here that agriculture marketing and procurement is a state subject according to the constitution, therefore enacting any law without the concurrence of states is not only violative of the constitution but against the spirit of federalism and infringement on the autonomy of the states.
Sir, like the GST law brought under the slogan of “one nation one tax” that robbed the states of financial autonomy and rendered them glorified municipalities, the new slogan of “one nation one mandi” is not only an attack on the rights of the states but will rob a state of Punjab of its revenue of approximately Rs. 4000 crore emanating out of the MSP purchase system annually.
Sir, the model of free market, contract farming etc. that your government is now propagating has miserably failed in the western world including USA and the European countries.
Sir, it is not the first instance or first time that states have been included, excluded or granted special status under the provisions of constitution. To support our argument we quote Article 370 of the constitution that granted special powers and status to Jammu & Kashmir till about a year ago.
Other than J&K the Part XXI of the constitution consists of articles on Temporary, Transitional and Special provisions of some states, other than J&K. In part, apart from Article 370 there are also Articles 371, 371-A, 371-B, 371-C, 371-E, 371-G, 371-H, 371-I and 371-J which provide special provisions to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and six of the seven North-East India i.e. Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
Sir, if these 11 states can be granted special provisions under the constitution, we are very sure Punjab and even Haryana can definitely be exempted/excluded from the implementation of the said laws that these states strongly feel are against their agrarian economy.
Sir, the very essence of democracy is respecting the sentiments of the electorate and to function as per the aspirations of the people. Therefore, we urge you to exclude/exempt Punjab from implementation of the said newly enacted draconian agriculture laws.
Thanking you,
With regards,
- Sukhpal Singh Khaira, MLA & Former Leader of Opposition
- Kanwar Sandu,MLA
- Jagdev Singh Kamalu, MLA
- Jagtar Singh Hissowal, MLA
- Pirmal Singh Khalsa, MLA"