Centre ready to resume talks but farmer unions should first respond: Narendra Singh Tomar

New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated Thursday that the government is ready to resume talks with protesting farmers. However Tomar asserted that first the farmer unions should respond to its offer. The government has proposed to put the three contentious farm laws on hold for one-and-a-half years. It has also set up a joint committee to find solutions. However, the protesting farmers have not relented.

The government and unions have held 11 rounds of talks, the last being held January 22, to break the deadlock. Talks have not resumed following widespread violence during a tractor rally by protesting farmers January 26.

“The government is fully sensitive towards farmers. We have held several rounds of talks (with unions). We proposed many amendments as well as keeping the farm reform Acts on hold for 1.5 years and setting up a joint panel to find solutions. But, they have not responded to our proposals,” Tomar said on the sidelines of an event here.

He was asked whether the government plans to improve its proposal. The minister said, “Protesting farmers should first express their opinion, what they want.” On ‘mahapanchayats’ being conducted, Tomar said anyone can organise such an event in a democratic country.

The minister said the Supreme Court has put on hold the implementation of the three laws till further orders. It has set up a committee to find solutions. “We have full faith in the apex court,” Tomar reiterated.

Tomar said the three-member panel is meeting various stakeholders. It will submit its recommendation after broad consultations. At the same time, the minister said, the government has been trying to resolve the issue. He said it is ready to talk with the protesting unions and find solutions to end the stalemate.

Tomar was asked about Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait’s comment calling Defence Minister Rajnath Singh a ‘caged parrot’. Tomar said these types of remarks should not be made by anyone against senior political leaders.

Inaugurating a three-day Kisan Mela at IARI campus in the national capital, Tomar highlighted the benefits of the three laws. He said farmers are being given freedom to sell their produce anywhere in India at their price. Tomar also said there will be no central or state tax if farmers sell their produce outside APMC mandis. “What is wrong in these legislations?” he asked.

The minister wondered why some farm unions are protesting against the government which has ended the tax system and not against those who impose taxes.