Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he has decided to repeal three farm laws that put an end to year-long protests.

The  three controversial farm laws, introduced in September last year, removes industry control, allowing farmers to sell their produce to consumers outside government-controlled markets, where farmers are guaranteed a minimum price (MSP). At the risk of competing in big business, and may eventually lose support for basic commodities such as wheat and rice.

These laws are -

• The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act,
• The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and
• The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act provides for the establishment of a mechanism that allows farmers to sell their produce on farms without Agricultural Market Committees (APMCs). Any licensed retailer can purchase the product from farmers at agreed prices. This trade in farm products will be tax-exempt from provincial governments.

The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act allows farmers to contract and market their products freely.

The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act is an amendment to the Existing Values ​​Act. The law now releases items such as whole grains, pulses, edible fats and onions to be traded without exception (read crisis).

                  PM Narendra Modi addressing to the country

The government says the changes in the sector, which account for 15% of the $ 2.7 billion economy, mean new opportunities and better prices for farmers.

The laws were intended to empower smallholder farmers, but the government failed to convince farmers who opposed the new rules.

In his national television address, Mr Modi said during the Guru Purab, the government had decided to repeal the three farm laws. "At a parliamentary conference starting later this month, we will finalize a constitutional plan to repeal these three agricultural laws," he added.

What was the reaction?

Farmers in Punjab and Haryana celebrated the news, hoisted flags of victory and distributed sweets. But they say the war is not over. Rakesh Tikait of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Indian Farmers Union) said "the farmers' riots will not be stopped immediately".

"We no longer trust the oral promise. Unless we see it written in writing that the rules have been repealed, we will stay here," Raj Singh Chaudhary, a 99-year-old protester, told the BBC.

“We will wait for the day when agricultural legislation will be passed in Parliament. In line with the MSP, the government should address other issues for farmers, ”he said on Twitter.

One farmer leader said they needed more promises from the government about the guaranteed price of their crops to end their protests.

Opposition parties have stated they will not run in the by-elections. Also West Bengal Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee, took to social media to praise the farmers and congratulate them.

BJP members said the decision to withdraw the rules had nothing to do with voting and a decision was taken to end the protest. They did not say whether there were any plans to reinstate the rules in the future.