Farmers Movement Archive

I am with protesting farmers but won’t quit panel: Ghanwat

NEW DELHI: The panel appointed by the Supreme Court to examine the new farm laws will hold its first meeting by January 20 and has appealed to farm unions opposed to the legislations to participate in the committee’s proceedings and offer suggestions, Anil Ghanwat, president of Maharashtra-based farmers’ organisation Shetkari Sanghatana, has said. Ghanwat, one of three members of the panel (after B S Mann withdrew), praised the protesting unions, saying the stir had forced the government and the SC to discuss relevant issues. “If the government does not accept our (panel’s) report, I and Shetkari Sanghatana members will join the farmers who have been protesting at Delhi’s borders,” he said. The panel’s other members are agriculture policy experts Ashok Gulati and Pramod Kumar Joshi. The panel will have a preliminary discussion on Friday on modalities to execute the SC mandate and ensure that as many farmers’ representatives are on board as possible. A physical meeting will follow. The Sanghatana is a key constituent of the pro-reform farm organisation umbrella body All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), which is headed by Mann, the national president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU). On Mann’s decision not to be a part of the panel and demands in certain quarters that he, being a farmer leader, should also opt out, Ghanwat said he would not do so and rather work with other members to present a report acceptable to all farmers. He said he would like to work on an important issue with as many members as may be appointed by the SC. The panel will work from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s campus at Pusa in the Capital. Logistics support will be provided by the agriculture ministry which entrusted a joint secretary-level officer with the task. Asked about Mann’s decision, Ghanwat said, “It is his personal decision which I should respect. I can understand his position. Even I am completely with the farmers who have been protesting. After all, our motives and goals are the same. I being in the panel won’t support anything which may go against the interests of farmers opposed to the farm laws.”

The Times of India

2021-01-15

India