On September 27, 2020, the President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to three agriculture bills — The Farmers’ 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.
The Bills were aimed at liberalising the farm sector, but it faced stiff opposition in parliament. The Bills have been opposed by several farmer organisations for various reasons. The chief concern seems to be the fear of losing government procurement at the Minimum Support Price.
The Hindu Explains | Who gains and who loses from the farm Bills?
In November 2020, the protests boiled over as farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, attempting to march to the national capital, faced resistance from the police who used tear gas and water cannons to turn them away.
