Farmers protest- 'Both need to take steps ahead for solution', reiterates govt

New Delhi, January 05: Keeping in mind welfare of the farmers in line to the 3 farm laws, Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday committed to find solutions on farmers issues with an open mind. "Both sides need to take steps forward to find solution", he said. Tomar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Industry Minister Som Prakash participated in the 7th round of talks with the representatives of 41 Farmers at New Delhi yesterday.

 

"Clause-wise discussion on Farm Acts can be carried forward to resolve contentiousissues", noted the ministers who agreed to meet again on January 8. Earlier, 6th round of talks between Government and Farmer Unions was held on 30th of last month. During the meeting, Tomar had assured the farmer leaders that the government is committed to solving their problems and both sides need to take steps forward to arrive at an amicable solution. He said, consensus on two out of four issues was reached during the meeting.

 

Farmers from different states have been camping at various border points of Delhi for more than 40 days now to demand the repeal of the three farm laws enacted in September and a legal backing for the minimum support price (MSP). They had a difficult morning on Sunday as overnight rains left their tents waterlogged, firewood and blankets soaked, and intensified the cold. However, the farmers have said the weather will not dampen their spirit and they will continue the protest till their demands are met.

 

 

The ruling BJP has promised to double farmers’ incomes by 2022-23 in its 2019 manifesto. It has announced higher MSPs for about 23 major commodities in 2018-19, but in the absence of a large scale procurement mechanism by the State governments, the market prices for most commodities have remained 10-30 per cent below the announced MSPs. Also, the BJP invoked direct income transfer to farmers’ accounts. However, it constitutes just 5 per cent of farmers’ incomes. The cost of this is likely to be ₹3.6-lakh crores ($51 billion) per year. Doubling of farmers’ incomes by 2022-23 would require much bolder reforms in Agri-marketing.