Farmers reject govt's proposals, want nothing but repeal of farm laws; to intensify agitation

President of Krantikari Kisan Union Darshan Pal on Wednesday rejected the government's proposals on farm laws as they continue to remain firm on their demands of repealing the new farm laws. Addressing a presser, Darshan Pal while representing farmers further warned the Centre of intensifying their agitation by blocking other major highways, entry points towards the national capital.

Speaking at the presser, farmers said, "We will block Delhi-Jaipur highway by December 12 and while a pan-India agitation will be launched on December 14."

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Soon after farmers rejected the government's proposal, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is meeting Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence.

As thousands of farmers continue to protest at various borders of the national capital demanding the repeal of three new farm laws, the government earlier today proposed to give a "written assurance" that the existing Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime for procurement will continue.

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The government also proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including one to allay fears about the weakening of the mandi system.

In a draft proposal sent to 13 agitating farmer unions, the government also said it is ready to provide all necessary clarifications on their concerns about the new farm laws enacted in September, but it did not mention anything about the main demand of protesting farmers for the repeal of the laws.

The farmer unions were said to be discussing the proposals and there was no immediate reaction from them, except that they continue to stick to their main demand for repealing the laws.

Home Minister Amit Shah in Tuesday night's meeting with 13 union leaders had said the government would send a draft proposal on key issues raised by the farmers regarding the three farm laws, even though the meeting had failed to break the ice with farm union leaders who are insisting for repealing these laws.

The sixth round of talks between the government and farm union leaders, which was scheduled for Wednesday morning, has also been cancelled.

What's in the government proposal to farmers 

In the proposal, sent by Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, the government said is ready to consider with an open heart the objections which farmers have on the new farm laws.

• "The government has tried to address the concerns of farmers with an open heart and with respect for the farming community of the country.
• The government appeals the Kisan unions to end their agitation," it said.
• On farmers' fears that mandis would weaken after the new laws, the government said an amendment can be made wherein state governments can register the traders operating outside mandis.
• States can also impose tax and cess as they used in APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandis on them.
• On concerns that farmers may be duped as anyone having just a pan card is allowed to trade outside APMC mandis, the government said to rule out such apprehensions, the state governments can be given the power to register such traders and make rules keeping in mind the local situation of farmers.
• On the issue of farmers not getting the right to appeal in civil courts for dispute resolution, the government said it is open to making an amendment to provide for an appeal in civil courts. Currently, the dispute resolution is at SDM level.
• On fears that big corporates will take over farmlands, the government said it has already been made clear in the laws, but still, for clarity's sake, it can be written that no buyer can take loans against farmland nor any such condition will be made to farmers.
• On attaching farmland under contract farming, the government said the existing provision is clear but still it can be clarified further if required.
• On fear about the scrapping of the MSP regime and shifting of trade to private players, the government said it is ready to give a written assurance that the existing MSP will continue.
• On demands to scrap the proposed Electricity Amendment bill 2020, the government said there won't be any change in the existing system of electricity bill payment for farmers.
• On farmers' demand to scrap the Air Quality Management of NCR Ordinance 2020, under which there is the provision of penalty for stubble burning, the government said it is ready to find an appropriate solution.

The draft proposal was sent to 13 farm union leaders including Joginder Singh Urgrahan of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), one of the biggest among nearly 40 agitating unions.

"Farmer unions have received the draft proposal from the government," Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait told PTI. He is one of the many union leaders participating in the ongoing negotiations with the government.

Govt proposes amendments

The government has proposed seven amendments in the two new laws -- The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and  The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020. However, it has not touched The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 at all.

The government said India can achieve food security only with the hard work of farmers.

"During Green Revolution, farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh had played a big role. To ensure food security, buying grains at MSP is the government's priority," it noted.

Amid this, Oppn meets President Kovind

As farmers agitation continues, five opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar met President Ram Nath Kovind seeking repeal of farm laws.

Speaking at a presser, Rahul Gandhi after meeting with President said, "We informed the President that it is absolutely critical that these anti-farmer laws are taken back."

"We have given a memorandum to the President. We are asking to repeal agriculture laws and electricity amendment bill that were passed in anti-democratic manner without proper discussions and consultations," said Sitaram Yechury, CPI-M, after meeting with President Kovind. 

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar also said, "In this cold, the farmers are on the streets protesting peacefully, expressing their unhappiness. It is the duty of the government to resolve this issue. There was a request from all opposition parties for in-depth discussion of farm bills and that it should be sent to select committee, but unfortunately, no suggestion was accepted and bills were passed in hurry."

New laws to give more options for farmers, says govt

The government further said the new laws were enacted to give more options for farmers to sell their produce along with the existing mandis so that farmers are able to get a better price and are able to grow high-end crops for that market. The idea was to give farmers the freedom to sell their produce like other producers.

On farmers' demand to provide registration of farming contracts, the government said till state governments make an arrangement for registration, an appropriate facility will be provided at the SDM office wherein a copy of the contract can be submitted 30 days after its signing.

On Constitutional validity of farm laws, the Centre said it has the power under Entry 33 of the Concurrent List to pass laws on contract farming and intra- and inter-state trade, and prohibit states from imposing fees/cess outside APMC areas. It had followed legal provisions while enacting the laws and earlier for bringing ordinances, it added.

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