New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Two key agriculture reform bills were passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on Sunday, amid strident protest by the Opposition and bedlam in the House, with the government saying that the move would raise productivity and ensure prosperity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the Bills, calling it a "watershed moment" in the Indian agriculture, which will "completely transform" the sector.
"For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The Bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These Bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them,' he posted on microblogging site Twitter.
'Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers. Now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results. This is a welcome step," Mr Modi said in another tweet.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also assured the Members that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) would continue and the government would announce MSP for the Rabi season next week.
He said the APMC Act will remain and Mandis will continue, but the farmers will have the option to sell their produce.
The Opposition members lodged strong protest over the Government approach to extend the duration of the time and demanded that the passing of these Bills should be done on Monday.
Despite the objection raised by Leader of the Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad that duration of the House is always extended by the consensus of the House, not by the numbers of the treasury bench, the Chair allowed the Minister to continue his reply.
On this, the agitated Opposition Members, including the AITC and AAP, came into well and created ruckus.
During uproar, the Chair's mike was broken and the House manual books were torn before the Chair's place and the House was adjourned for 15 minutes.
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