When was the Agricultural Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill introduced?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

MP Police Constable 2023 Official Paper (Held On: 02 Sept, 2023 Shift 2)

Answer 1

The correct answer is 2020.

Key Points

The Agricultural Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill was introduced in 2020.
It was part of a set of three farm laws passed by the Indian Parliament in September 2020.
The aim of the bill was to create an ecosystem where farmers and traders could sell and purchase agricultural produce freely outside the physical premises of markets notified under state APMC Acts.
The bill sought to reduce barriers to interstate and intrastate trade of agricultural produce.
It was introduced as a reform to make farming more profitable by providing better market access and reducing the role of intermediaries.

Additional Information

APMC Act: Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) are regulated markets established by state governments to ensure farmers are safeguarded from exploitation by creditors and intermediaries.
Farmers’ Protest: The bill sparked nationwide protests, with farmers fearing it would dismantle the APMC system and lead to exploitation by large corporations.
Repeal of Laws: The farm laws, including the Agricultural Produce Trade and Commerce Bill, were repealed on November 29, 2021, after significant opposition and protests.
Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act: Along with the Agricultural Produce Trade and Commerce Bill, two other laws—the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act—were introduced in 2020.
Interstate Trade: The bill aimed to facilitate interstate trade without taxes imposed by APMC mandis, encouraging better price realization for farmers.