10 Farmer Unions meet Agri Minister Narendra Tomar, pledge support to farm laws

New Delhi: Even as thousands of farmers stay put at Delhi borders protesting against recently legislated farm laws, many farmers union representing different parts of the country met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday and pledged support to the three farm laws.

Altogether 10 organisations from states like Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Bihar and Haryana associated with All India Kisan Coordination Committee met Narendra Singh Tomar to extend their support on the farm laws and express confidence in govt assurances.

The committee submitted a memorandum to Tomar which said that some elements in the farmers’ agitation in some parts of the country, especially in Delhi, were trying to create misunderstanding among farmers about the farm laws.

“The three laws that have been passed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to liberate India’s agriculture system, we have come forward to support them. We know that some elements in the farmers’ agitation in some parts of the country, specially in Delhi, are trying to create misunderstanding in farmers. The dawn of freedom that is visible after our untiring efforts and long struggle, some elements are trying to create misunderstanding among farmers to turn it into dark night. To fulfil our responsibility towards crores of farmers of the country, we have come from different parts of the country to meet you,” the memorandum said.

“We have come here to show that farmers from different parts of the country are supporting these laws. We have been unhappy and also victims of the old mandi system. We do not want that the same system of exploitation is imposed on farmers under any condition,” it added.

हरियाणा, महाराष्ट्र, बिहार, तमिलनाडू, तेलंगाना व अन्य राज्यों के किसान संगठनों के प्रतिनिधियों ने केंद्रीय कृषि मंत्री श्री नरेंद्र सिंह तोमर से भेंट कर उन्हें भारत सरकार द्वारा लाए गए नए कृषि कानूनों का समर्थन करते हुए कुछ संशोधन के साथ लागू रखने की मांग करते हुए ज्ञापन दिया। pic.twitter.com/NVizqNlkGm

— Agriculture INDIA (@AgriGoI) December 14, 2020

The memorandum urged the government not to withdraw the three laws under the pressure of farmers’ agitation in some parts of the country.

“Because, if it happens, farmers from different parts of the country will be bound to come on the streets for their rights,” it said.

The memorandum also suggested the government to spread awareness about farm laws through campaigns.

It also urged the government to focus on introducing new-age technology in agriculture.

Agriculture Minister Tomar said after the meeting that members of All India Kisan Coordination Committee had come from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar.

“They supported farm bills and gave us a letter on the same. They said that the Modi government has done this for the welfare of farmers and they welcome and support it,” he said.

Asked about a meeting with the leaders of protesting farmers, Tomar said the government has said it is ready for talks.

“We have said that we are ready for the talks. The government will definitely do it if their (farmer unions’) proposal comes…We want the discussions to be held clause by clause. They will give their opinion on our proposal, we will definitely hold further talks,” he said.