Ready for talks if farmers raise logical objections to laws: Narendra Tomar

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, June 9

Hours after the government said on Wednesday that it was ready to talk to the farmers provided they logically point out their specific objections to agricultural reform laws, the Congress sought the removal of Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, terming his remarks “insensitive”.

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At the Cabinet briefing today, Tomar said the government respected the agitating farmers which was why it organised 11 rounds of talks with them.

“The Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a lot of respect for farmers and that is why the government will be ready for talks with the farmers whenever they want to talk. But, we have repeatedly urged farm unions to logically point out objections to relevant provisions of the law and we will listen to them and also attempt a resolution to their concerns,” the minister said.

He said the government had held talks with farmers 11 times and asked them what their objection to the laws was and which provision of the laws they deemed unjust.

“But, neither any political party responded to the matter in the House, nor any farm union leader stated what the objection was. This is why the talks did not move forward,” Tomar said.

Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hailed the farmers’ fearless agitation and said 500 farmers had died for the cause of justice.

Gandhi sought the repeal of farm laws, saying that was the only way out.

Later, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate mentioned Tomar’s previous remarks that the government was willing to talk to the farmers about anything except the repeal of laws and said, “What else will the farmers discuss with the government if not the laws? Will they discuss the weather? The Agriculture Minister must be removed for his insensitive remarks.”

Tomar defended the government record on farmers, saying the country had witnessed the commitment of the PM towards farmers.

“The decisions taken by the Modi government in the last seven years to raise the income of farmers and increase agriculture profitability are historic and unprecedented. No one is in a position to dismiss them. As far as Rahul Gandhi’s tweets go, even the Congress does not take them seriously. I need not comment,” Tomar said.

He said all political parties wanted to enact agriculture reform laws but did not have the courage to do so.

“The Modi government took this huge step to benefit the farmers and bring reforms in the farm sector, the benefits of which have gone to the farmers at many places. In between, the farmers’ agitation started. The government respects the farmers and that is why it spoke to them 11 times,” the minister said.