10 farmers’ groups extend support to govt on farm laws

As the ongoing protest against the farm laws continued for the 19th day, a new group of 10 farmers’ unions on Monday extended their support to the Central government over its decision to undertake the necessary amendments in the three contentious farm laws.

The support for the government came on the day the leaders of protesting farmers began a one-day hunger strike on Monday against the farm laws.

Under the banner of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), the group of farmers belonging to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana expressed their support after a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar at his office here.

The farmers, in a written statement, said that they agreed with the government’s proposal to suitably amend the three farm laws which is the centre of deadlock leading to ongoing protest at Delhi’s different borders since 26 November.

As thousands of farmers under the leadership of over 32 farm unions are sitting on demonstration for the last 19 days, the AIKCC group appealed to the farmers to support the government’s proposal regarding amendments in the three laws—The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The protesting farmers term these laws “black laws”, “draconian” and “anti-farmer”.

Stressing on amendments in the three laws, the AIKCC said, “Modern infrastructure is necessary in the current farming scenario because the present method is not enough for implementation of new laws. The farmers have been following old techniques. So, it is necessary to do amendments in these laws.”

After the meeting, the Agriculture Minister tweeted that the leaders of the group agreed that these laws are beneficial for the farmers and these should not be withdrawn. He also said that the farmers accepted that the ongoing protest is politically motivated.

The new group of farmers agreed with the government’s proposal days after more than a dozen farmers from Haryana FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) and the Jagruk and Pragatiseel Kisan Union submitted a signed acceptance of the new laws to Tomar during a meeting with him at the Ministry earlier.

WITH IANS INPUTS