Draft proposal has been sent to the farmers after their meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday night remained inconclusive
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The Union government has given a “written assurance” to the farmers that the existing Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime for procurement will continue. The assurance came on Wednesday when farmers’ agitation against the three contentious farm laws entered into 14th day.
“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 to the Kisan unions to end their agitation,” says the draft proposal.
Key proposals regarding the three farm laws made by the Union government. The farmers’ unions leading the protests have just received copies of the proposals. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/tcqFx0p7Bq
— Sourav Roy Barman (@Sourav_RB) December 9, 2020
The proposal has been sent to the farmers after their meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday night remained inconclusive. Five rounds of government-farmer talks held so far have also been inconclusive due to both sides staying adamant on their issues.
Farmer unions scheduled meeting with Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday has also been called off after their failed meeting with the home minister.
In another development, opposition leaders such as Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja were preparing to meet President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday and seek his intervention to find a solution to the ongoing farmer protests. They are likely to call upon the President to direct the government to repeal the controversial farm laws.
Farmer leaders protesting on Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for the last 14 days were meeting on the Singhu border to discuss the government’s response to their demands as well as the future course of action.
The countrywide shutdown called by farmers’ organisations was peaceful on Tuesday. They are demanding repeal of The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020; the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Price Assurance and the Agricultural Services Agreement Act 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.
In Wednesday’s written assurance to the farmers the government says it is ready to consider the provisions of the laws on which the farmers have raised objections.
Clearing the apprehension among farmers that their fields will be attached, the government ensured not to take any such action. The government’s proposal clarified that the provisions in the new laws are very clear and it will release them and publicise them in a clearer manner if there is any confusion on the issue.
On the apprehension that big industrialists will take over farmers’ land and the farmer will be landless, the government’s proposal said it is already clear in the new law that neither can any loan be availed by the buyer on the structure to be built on the farmer’s land nor such a structure be held hostage by him.
On the Electricity Amendment Act 2020, the government has assured that the Act would not be implemented and the earlier process would be maintained as status quo.
On the farmers demand’ to take back the law on stubble burning, the government said it will come up with a proper arrangement on the subject.
