Amid ongoing farmer protests, Punjab became the first state to move a resolution challenging the three contentious farm laws enacted by the Centre.
To negate the central laws, the state Assembly passed three Bills which, among other things, provide for imprisonment of not less than three years and fines the sale/purchase of wheat or paddy under a farming agreement below MSP.
Farm laws fall under the state ambit and that's why some states are of the opinion that the centre bypassed the federal structure and "illegally" enacted these farm laws.
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD
But the Centre, in turn, argues that their laws deal with trade and commerce of farmers’ produce which falls within the Concurrent list.
While the Punjab government can’t repeal or amend the Farm Laws themselves, or pass their own laws to nullify its effect, now we have two sets of farm legislations at loggerheads with each other.
Where does this fit in within the constitutional framework of the country? Tune in!
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)