Farmers Movement Archive

Have given written proposal to farmers, govt always ready for talks: Tomar

Tribune News ServiceNew Delhi, December 10Reaching out to agitating farmers, the BJP-led Centre on Thursday said it has given them written proposals addressing their concerns regarding the three Central Farm Acts and two other laws and is ready to discuss any other issues they might have.While unions hardened their stance, the indication from the government regarding the main demand (repealing the three Acts) is also clear that there is no going back on the three laws.“Whenever you are ready, the government is ready for talks,” Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal said on a day ‘jathebandis’ and unions announced further plans for agitation.Listing the many pro-farmer and agriculture measures taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tomar said the government’s constant effort has been to empower farmers and make agriculture and villages ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant). “Till the time villages and agriculture are self-reliant the country cannot become self- reliant,” Tomar said. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Power Minister Piyush Goyal addressing a press conference in new Delhi on Thursday. Tribune photo: Mukesh AggarwalSince farmers were not “forthcoming on their issues and were sticking to the demand (of rolling back the Acts),” the government culled out their concerns from several rounds of talks they had and prepared the proposals, Tomar said. “The government has given them a written assurance. If they are still unconvinced we can hold more discussions. We urge them to leave the path of agitation and come to the discussion table. When the dialogue is on it is not correct to announce further agitation,” the Agriculture Minister said. Regarding their main demand, the ministers said laws had been formulated after “due diligence and consultations with stakeholders” and following proper Parliamentary procedure “to benefit farmers and the agriculture sector”. “No law can be completely wrong, you should read the Acts and see for yourself. The government has no doubt that the three laws are for benefit of farmers. We have taken due care and consideration and only then brought the laws. We are only trying to benefit the farmers,” Tomar said, also adding that the “Central Government is well within its Constitutional Rights while making laws on Agricultural trade”.Meanwhile, according to Goyal, ‘panchayat’ election results from Rajasthan are a “proof of farmers’ complete faith” in PM Modi. “There are many farmers who believe there are benefits from law, Rajasthan elections are living testimony to that,” he said. Regarding the demand for a separate law on MSP, Tomar said the “provision has nothing to do with these Acts”. “Prime Minister and I have repeatedly assured the farmers that MSP will remain. The government has done its part, I will again urge farmers that if they want more discussions we are ready for talks. I am hopeful there will be a way,” Tomar said.“When these laws were brought the aim was that farmers get the freedom to sell their produce outside ‘mandis’ without tax. Who can have any objection to that? We thought farmers will take benefit, make use of new technology, get attracted to new crops. The laws were welcomed throughout the country. However, some farmers and unions voiced objections which we tried to address. But even while dialogue was going on with Punjab farmers, unions announced agitation on November 26 and 27,” he said.

The Tribune

2020-12-10