New Delhi: Amid the impasse between farmers and government over farm laws, the Centre today said that the farm reforms have been brought forth keeping in mind the best interests of the farmers.
Addressing media, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, the government wanted to liberate the farmers of the shackles of mandi so that they could sell their produce anywhere, to anyone, at his own price, outside the purview of mandi.
He said, government expressed that it is ready for open-minded discussions on provisions they have objections against. He said, Centre tried to explain to the farmers that laws do not affect APMCs or MSP. He said they sent proposals to allay concerns over MSP and APMCs but farmers’ leaders rejected them.
The Minister said, the government kept waiting for suggestions from farmers’ leaders to address their concerns, but they are stuck on repeal of laws.
Tomar reassured that the land of farmers will not be occupied by industrialists. He pointed out that contract farming has been going on for long in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka but there has never been such experience.
He said, the government has already made provisions that agreement under these laws will only be between processors and farmers’ produce and there is no provision for any lease or agreement over farmers’ land.
Mr Goyal said, the government has very categorically made clear that state procurement by the government will continue at MSP. He said, this should completely dispel any falsehood that is being propagated.
The Minister’s address is allaying apprehensions of farmers and reiterated government’s commitment to their welfare.
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— Newsroom Post (@NewsroomPostCom) December 10, 2020
# It is being projected that the land of farmers will be occupied by industrialists. Contract farming has been going on for long in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka but there has never been such experience: Tomar
# During the talks, many said that farm laws are invalid as agriculture is State subject and Centre can’t frame these laws. We clarified, we have the right to make laws on trade and explained it to them. APMC & MSP are not affected by it: Tomar
# We sent a proposal to farmers. They wanted these laws to be repealed. We are of the stand that govt is ready for open-minded discussions on provisions they have an objection against. Laws don’t affect APMCs or MSP. We tried to explain this to farmers: Agriculture Minister
# The government wanted to liberate the farmers of the shackles of mandi so that they could sell their produce anywhere, to anyone, at his own price, outside the purview of mandi: Tomar
# Such incidents are rising, this has reached to such an extent that stone pelting is being done on the convoy of BJP national president who has been provided security. This is being ignored by the state govt. We condemn this attack: Tomar
