Expressing hope that the farmer protest movement would endsoon, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar exuded confidence thata consensus between the government and the farmers would to be reached soon.
Tomar claimed that some people are obstructing the progressto a solution and wonders why they are hindering the same. He said that onlythe “real farmer leaders” will come forward and find a way out.
Tomar questions the logic of people asking for all the threelaws to be withdrawn and why the decision is being stalled. The minister hasled four of the five rounds of talks with farmer representatives. Apart fromthis, he was also present during the meeting of farmer leaders on December 8with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Tomar said, "There is not a single person among thefarmer representatives in the true sense who can say that he alone can talkabout the farmers and the new laws. Wherever there are objections, issuesshould be discussed with the government."
Addressing the rationale of the opposition on the reforms,the minister clarified that every transformation raises concerns in the mindsof the public and the government is playing its part to remove doubts and the stakeholdersshould be finding a solution soon.
Listing the benefits to the farmers from the newagricultural laws implemented by the Centre, he said, "The new lawsprovide farmers the freedom to sell their crops anywhere in the country at thedesired price. They guarantee payment of prices within 3 days. The lawsprovides that the farmers sitting at home get a nationwide price."
Tomar said that if there is no tax on farmers' purchase ofcrops, they will also get the benefit because they will get higher prices dueto no tax.
Describing the specialty of the contract farming law, hesaid that this law only allows the contract of the crop and the law has aprovision to fix the price before sowing the crop. He said that this law willattract farmers to cultivate expensive crops and use technology, as well ascultivate according to global standards, their products will be used in foodprocessing, and it will definitely benefit the farmers and their produce Theywill get reasonable and remunerative prices.
The minister clarified that the apprehension on farmers'land under the new laws is baseless.
Clarifying the provision for settlement of disputes, he saidthat in case of any dispute, it will be settled within 30 days at the SDM leveland its appeal can go up to the Collector.
Farmers have been camping since November 26 on the bordersof Delhi. Leaders of agitating farmer organisations want repeal of the threenew laws implemented by the Centre - the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce(Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection)Price Assurance and Agricultural Services Agreement Act 2020, and the EssentialCommodities (Amendment) Act 2020.
The farmers are stubbornly steadfast with their demandswhile the government has offered to amend these laws and is also clarifying theintentions to the farmers. Also, some farmer groups’ leaders of Uttarakhand,Haryana, and Punjab met the minister and assured their support on the threefarm laws.