Lok Sabha passes Bill allowing government to control supply

NEW DELHI: The LokSabha on Tuesday passed a Bill allowing the central government to control the production, supply, distribution, trade and commerce in certain commodities with a voice vote.

However, the opposition raised objection over the structure of the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, saying it favours big corporates and against the farmers, the government managed to pass it due to its majority in the Lower House.

The Bill which was promulgated on June 5 this year may impose stock limits on agricultural produce if there is a steep price rise. Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution RaosahebDadaraoDanve moved the Bill informing the amendment will encourage people linked with the supply of agriculture products and increase the investment in this field.

Citing a report of the Food Processing Ministry, the minister said the loss of agricultural products in 2012-13 was approximately Rs 92,000 crore and the maximum loss was noted in fruits and vegetable products. Mentioning that there should be a processing facility to decrease the loss of agricultural products, the minister said the Bill will help in betterment of storage facilities so that the graph of loss of such products could be lessened. (IANS) 

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