Former Punjab CM Becomes Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture.

Former Punjab CM Becomes Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture: Charanjit Channi Gets the Responsibility for the Second Time; It Includes 21 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs.

Charanjit Singh Channi, a Congress MP from Jalandhar and a former chief minister of Punjab, has been elected again to chair the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing. Ten Rajya Sabha members and twenty-one Lok Sabha members make up the committee. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Punjab MP, is one of them.

This committee has had Channi as its chairperson before. Because of his reports and suggestions in support of farmers and farm workers, he has been assigned this duty for the second time. Prior to this, he supported the inclusion of agricultural workers in the Pradhan, the legal guarantee of MSP (Minimum Support Price), and payment for stubble management. Fasal Mantri Yojana Bima.

Relevance to Politics of the Appointment
In political circles, his recent appointment is regarded as significant. Political analysts claim that by appointing Channi as the chairman of this committee, the central government will no longer be able to make decisions pertaining to agriculture on its own, as Channi will have the ability to bring up the concerns of Punjab and farmers directly.

Recognise the Significance of This Committee
One of the most significant parliamentary committees in the nation for monitoring the nation’s agricultural policies and programmes is the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing, which was established in the Lok Sabha. After reviewing government proposals, ministry reports, and policy documents pertaining to agriculture, this committee makes recommendations to Parliament.

Four Reasons Why Channi’s Appointment Is Crucial
1. Authority to Monitor and Provide Advice on Agricultural Departments:
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing of the Central Government is directly overseen by this committee. The committee makes its suggestions after reviewing the ministries’ plans, reports, and policies. Punjabi agricultural challenges can now receive more attention thanks to Channi’s leadership.

2. Review of Agriculture-Related Bills: This committee thoroughly examines any legislation pertaining to agriculture that is introduced by the government. The committee weighs the bill’s advantages and disadvantages before expressing a judgement. Channi and the members are able to examine any new legislation from the viewpoint of farmers in this way.

3. Possibility to Bring Up the Issues Facing Punjab’s Farmers and Agriculture: Channi will bring up the challenges Punjabi farmers confront in this committee. Parliament can now directly address issues including farm labourers’ difficulties, stubble management, and the guarantee of MSP (Minimum Support Price).

4. Recommendations for Promoting Fruits and Vegetables: This committee is not limited only to wheat and paddy; it also works on promoting value-added crops like fruits and vegetables. In Punjab, Channi can give recommendations to the government regarding crop diversification so that new steps can be taken to increase farmers’ income.

Committee Puts Government Under Pressure
Although the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendations are not required to be accepted by the government, they can still exert pressure on it. Furthermore, within three months, the relevant ministries must submit a report on the suggestions.

The Minister in charge of the Ministry is required to update Parliament on the department’s response to the committee’s proposal. Additionally, the relevant Minister is required to report to Parliament every six months on the progress made and the remaining work on the committee’s recommendations.