Mumbai: The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the amendment of the Essential commodities act, said the Prime Minister’s office on Wednesday.
As per the amendment in ECA commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes will be removed from the list of essential commodities.
“It has been provided in the Amendment, that in situations such as war, famine, extraordinary price rise, and natural calamity, such agricultural foodstuff can be regulated,” said PMO.
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The Union Cabinet has also approved ‘The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020’. And said that it will create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will enjoy the freedom of choice of sale and purchase of agri-produce.
The Essential Commodities Act has been amended for the first time in sixty years, saying that the act was created when there was a shortage of food in the country and now we have excess produce. In this amendment, foodstuff can be regulated in situations like war, famine, extraordinary price rise, and natural calamities.
“Cabinet has approved ‘The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020’. It will empower farmers for engaging with processors, aggregators, large retailers, exporters, etc. on a level playing field,” further details by PMO.
Six important decisions were taken by cabinet in today’s meeting, including the renaming of Kolkata port as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee port.
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