New Delhi, September 17: Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday resigned from the Cabinet in protest against farm sector related Bills.
“Shiromani Akali Dal member and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal will resign from government in protest against farm Bills,” party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal earlier said in Lok Sabha as the Modi government tabled two more farm-sector related bills in the lower house amid widespread protests by farmers.
Shiromani Akali Dal, an ally of the BJP and NDA partner, had also protested against the first of three such Bills on September 15 as well.
Justifying the Bills, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh termed them as revolutionary for farmers and provide independence farmers, who will be free to sell produce outside anywhere.
The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) will not be violated and will remain in states, Tomar said. Farmer will be allowed to sell farm produce from anywhere and need not just rely on the existing systems of the mandis. Outside the mandi, there will be no tax of Centre or state’s.