New Delhi, Nov 23: The UF government is likely to shelve the issue of proposed Agricultural Workers Bill, owing to the differences arising out of the technicalities involved.

Agriculture minister Chaturanan Mishra is of the view that the proposed bill should not only protect the interests of 185 million workers but also be designed in such a manner that the production is not affected due to unionisation of agricultural labourers.

He has suggested compensation to farmers in case of injury accrued to labourers in the months of plantation and harvesting and pension of Rs 250 per month. However, the prime minister and other members of the cabinet disagree with Mishra's suggestions.

Besides, the state governments are not agreeing to the proposal of a hike in pension and other related provisions of the bill.

The existing pension is Rs 175 per month, Rs 100 is contributed by central government and rest by the concerned state government.

Though the bill has been sent to the attorney general for critical scrutiny it is unlikely that the cabinet will agree to pass the Bill in toto and introduce it in the winter session of Parliament. The proposed bill has included small and marginal farmers, who are partially employed, as agricultural labourers employed in land holdings other than their own as beneficiaries under the law. It has also included workers engaged in allied agricultural activities like horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry.

The bill has called for registration of landowners and agricultural workers, creation of welfare fund at district level to be funded by employers' contribution, maximum working hours, differential wages in harvesting time, preferential treatment for workers previously employed with the same employer, dispute settlement at local levels by conciliation and compulsory arbitration and penalties for violations.

The bill seeks to introduce special provisions for women workers ensuring equal wages, maternity benefits and representation in the Welfare Board.

West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Pondicherry, Meghalaya, Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh and Goa supported the bill with certain minor changes.

Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra opposed the legislation while Orissa, Gujarat, Nagaland and Delhi conditionally supported whereas Madhya Pradesh wanted the matter to be left totally to the state governments.

The other objections raised by some states were the reduction of labourers age from 65 to 60 years for the purpose of coverage, replacement of revenue officials by panchayats for purpose of conciliation and arbitration of disputes, exemption of land holdings up to two hectares for registration of landowners, constitution of boards at state, district and block levels, audit of accounts by local fund audit and provisions of guaranteeing employment.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.