Jalandhar, September 28
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday said he would consult a team of lawyers on the contentious farm legislations that have lead to widespread protests in Punjab.
The chief minister also said that the government would be moving the Supreme Court on the issue.
Punjab Congress leaders, led by Singh, on Monday launched a sit-in agitation against the laws at Khatkar Kalan in Nawanshahr, the birthplace of Bhagat Singh.
Besides legal recourse, the Punjab government was looking at other options to scuttle the Centre’s new agriculture laws “that are designed to ruin Punjab’s farmers and economy”, said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister sat on ‘dharna’ against the “draconian” laws after paying tributes to Bhagat Singh at his ‘Samadhi Sthal’ on his 113 birth anniversary.
AICC General Secretary and state affairs in-charge Harish Rawat, state party chief Sunil Jakhar and Cabinet ministers were among those present.
SAD leader PS Chandumajra also visited the site. He said that if the government would knock the doors of the Supreme Court, his party would support the state against the Centre. He also sought the CM’s intervention to make the entire campaign an all-party event.
Ex-minister Navjot Sidhu remained absent from the event.
Terming President Ram Nath Kovind’s assent to the Farm Bills as “unfortunate and distressing”, Amarinder Singh said his government is exploring all options, including possible amendments to the state laws, to protect the interests of the farmers.
The Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on Sunday received presidential assent.(Agency)
