The Centre had shared the draft framework with Punjab and other states last year, seeking their inputs.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Session Latest News Today: The AAP-led Punjab government on Tuesday introduced a resolution in the Punjab Assembly opposing the Centre’s draft of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly criticized the Centre, alleging that it was attempting to reintroduce the repealed farm laws under a different name. “We reject this draft policy because it is a clear attempt to bring back the contentious farm laws through another route. Moreover, the Centre has failed to fulfill its promises made to the farmers after repealing those laws, including assurances on Minimum Support Price (MSP),” Mann stated.

The Punjab government had officially rejected the draft policy last month, arguing that it contained provisions similar to the three controversial farm laws that were withdrawn in 2021 following a year-long protest by farmers. Pressure from farmer unions had been mounting on the state government to pass a resolution against the policy in the Vidhan Sabha.

The Centre had shared the draft framework with Punjab and other states last year, seeking their inputs. However, Bhagwant Mann had already signaled Punjab’s firm opposition, accusing the Centre of attempting to revive the repealed laws.

The two-day special session of the Punjab Assembly, which began on Monday, is expected to focus heavily on issues related to farmers’ welfare and state rights in agricultural policies. The resolution marks another flashpoint between Punjab and the Centre over agricultural reforms.