New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday showed hope that a solution would be found over the new farm laws through discussions.
His statement came after farm unions decided to return to the negotiation table and called it a “good step”.
Rajnath Singh, Union Defense Minister strongly stated that the Union government is in no mood of scrapping the minimum support price (MSP) regime and that no one can take away land from the farmers.
Narendra Singh Tomar told the Indian Express, Roughly translated in English, “I hope that the farmers will understand the truth of the situation and the law, there will be dialogue, and the solution will come out.”
Responding to a question about the further round of talks, he said, “Vartha hogi” which means talks will take place.
He said, “Farm unions have written a letter; it is a good step. We were already ready for talks; we will resolve the issue through negotiations.”
On Saturday, a body of 40 farm organisations named The Samyukt Kisan Morcha wrote to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, about the resuming of talks.
The body proposed a four-point plan for the discussions that incorporate modalities to be received for the nullification of the three farm laws; components to make the profitable MSP suggested by the National Farmers’ Commission into a lawfully ensured qualification for all farmers and every single agrarian product.
They also proposed amendments to be made and notified in the Commission for the Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020 to exclude farmers from its penal provisions; and changes to be made in the draft Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020 to secure the interests of farmers.
Rajnath Singh said while responding to the question about the Opposition’s criticism of The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, “Whatever agreement will be with the farmers will be about their products, not their land.”
He said on MSP, “A misconception is being deliberately created in some parts of the country that our government wants to end the MSP. It has never been the intention of this government to abolish the MSP, nor will it ever be.”
The Defense Minister requested farmers to observe the new laws for “one-two years”.