The Punjab Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the Union Government’s draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing, calling it a disguised effort to reintroduce the controversial farm laws that were repealed in 2021 following massive farmer protests. The resolution, introduced by the state’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, saw support from MLAs across party lines, with the two BJP legislators, Ashwani Sharma and Jangi Lal Mahajan, absent during the two-hour discussion.

Leading the debate, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly opposed the Centre’s alleged anti-farmer policies. He accused the Union Government of attempting to bring back the contentious provisions of the repealed farm laws through a new framework.

Introducing the resolution, State Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated, “The House rejects the draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. This policy is an attempt to revive the very provisions of the three farm laws that were withdrawn after a historic farmers’ agitation.”

Khudian emphasised that agricultural marketing falls under the purview of state governments as per the Constitution. He argued that the Centre should not interfere in this domain and should allow states to develop policies that align with their local needs.

During the debate, CM Mann accused the central government of consistently undermining Punjab’s interests. Citing the issue of the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and other matters, he alleged that the Centre systematically targets Punjab.

“The Centre never misses an opportunity to single out Punjab, whether it is withholding funds or handling international matters like deportations. Recently, the deportation of Indians from the US was handled in a way that tarnished Punjab’s name. Even though Punjabis were a minority among the deportees, the US military planes were deliberately landed in Amritsar,” Mann said.

Both treasury and opposition MLAs agreed that the draft agricultural policy is an infringement on state rights. They expressed concerns that the framework promotes private markets while diluting the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) structure, ultimately rendering it ineffective.

Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa supported the resolution, warning that the proposed policy would severely harm Punjab’s farming sector. He assured that the Punjab Congress stands with the state government in defending farmers’ rights.

“The Punjab Congress will go to any extent to protect Punjab’s interests. We are willing to fight alongside the Punjab government if necessary,” Bajwa said.

Bajwa further attacked the BJP, calling it an “anti-Punjab” party that prioritises multinational corporations over farmers. He accused the BJP of working against Punjab’s economic and political stability.

“The BJP has been conspiring to weaken the farming sector for years. Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, the Shanta Kumar Commission on Agriculture recommended dismantling the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The Modi-led BJP government is still pursuing the same goal,” he added.

The Punjab Assembly’s decision to reject the Centre’s draft farm policy highlights the state’s firm stance on protecting its agricultural sector. The resolution sends a strong message to the Union Government that any attempt to interfere in state matters, particularly in agricultural marketing, will face unanimous opposition. The political consensus across party lines underscores the sensitivity of the issue, with Punjab’s leadership vowing to safeguard the rights of its farmers at all costs.