Agrochem Delegates Express Concerns on Farmer Bill with Fadnavis
A delegation representing leading associations of manufacturers and formulators of agrochemicals, led by Dr. Dipen Agrawal, President of the Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry & Trade (CAMIT), recently met with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. The delegation, comprising prominent figures in the industry, expressed their apprehensions regarding the adverse effects of the government's proposed Farmer Compensation Bill.
The delegation, which included Sanjiv Lal (Managing Director of Rallis India Ltd.), Parikshit Mundhra (Managing Director of Willowood Chemicals Ltd.), Rajesh Aggarwal (Managing Director of Insecticides India Ltd.), Nirmala Pathrawal (Executive Director of Crop Care Federation of India), and Durgesh Chandra (Secretary General of CropLife India), presented their concerns to the Deputy Chief Minister.
At the forefront of their objections is the fear that the proposed bill, aimed at providing compensation to farmers for losses due to adulterated and spurious seeds, insecticides, and fertilizers, could lead to unfair claims. Dr. Dipen Agrawal emphasized that while the intention behind the bill is to control spurious suppliers, its implementation may inadvertently subject genuine manufacturers and dealers to excessive checks and scrutiny.
Parikshit Mundhra pointed out that existing legislation, such as the Consumer Protection Act, already provides for compensation to farmers for losses caused by substandard agricultural inputs. The proposed bill, he argued, creates a parallel procedure, causing unnecessary complications.
Sanjiv Lal highlighted concerns over proposed amendments that could make various offenses under existing acts cognizable and non-bailable, potentially leading to unfair prosecution against genuine manufacturers and distributors.
Rajesh Agarwal expressed worries about the unlimited powers the proposed bill grants to the police, potentially resulting in harassment of legitimate manufacturers and sellers in Maharashtra. He emphasized that this could hinder business operations, leading to a scarcity of essential agrochemical products in the state.
Nirmala Pathrawal pointed out that the proposed bill lacks jurisdiction, as the regulation of seeds and insecticides falls under the purview of central laws, not state laws.
Durgesh Chandra raised concerns about the proposed blanket provision to make offenses cognizable and non-bailable, without following prescribed legal processes, stating that such provisions are typically reserved for heinous crimes.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the delegation that the government is committed to the ease of doing business while acknowledging the duty to protect farmers from illegal manufacturers. He proposed the formation of a committee to study the concerns in detail and recommend solutions that balance the interests of all stakeholders.
In response, Dr. Dipen Agrawal expressed gratitude for the Deputy Chief Minister's patient hearing and assurance to address the matter for the benefit of business and farmers in the state.
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