‘Oppn out to mislead, new laws will empower farmers’

There has been no let-up in the protests against the three farm Bills. It is the first time that the Narendra Modi-led NDA government has faced such resistance to any of its decisions. In an exclusive interview with Vibha Sharma of The Tribune, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar answers queries related to farmers’ apprehensions on the contentious agriculture reforms and more. Excerpts:

Farmers say the Centre is leaving them at the mercy of corporates.

The law is not against the APMC or traders/ arhtiyas. Farmers will have the freedom to sell the produce anywhere they want, likewise arhtiyas too can trade anywhere in the country using their PAN card. The law gives alternatives and freedom to both farmers and traders.

It is a myth the Congress and Opposition are propagating to mislead them. The Farmers Empowerment and Protection Bill has the provision of an agreement at the time of sowing for deciding the price. The farmer will have the freedom to walk out of the agreement any time. The government, through the legislative route, is creating a framework that will not only open up more avenues for farmers to sell their produce but will also protect their interests.

What if the buyer decides the produce is not up to the mark, and refuses to buy?

He cannot do that. Rather the objection should come from corporates that while farmers are getting all the freedom, they are being tied up in law.

Why is the government cutting out arhtiyas, who are considered the lifeline of rural economy?

The law is not against the APMC or traders/arhtiyas. Farmers will have the freedom to sell the produce anywhere, likewise arhtiyas too can trade anywhere in the country without a licence and just by using their PAN card.

Farmers say of the listed 23 crops, MSP is paid only on wheat, paddy and cotton.

On Monday, we announced the MSP for six rabi crops, including wheat. The BJP-led NDA has given Rs 7 lakh crore in the past six years. We increased the MSP by one and a half times, which the UPA never did.

What was the hurry to bring in new legislations?

Reforms that happen today will benefit farmers from today, reforms that happen after a year will start showing results after a year. What we have done was recommended by MS Swaminathan, Sharad Joshi (late farm leader), Sharad Pawar (ex-Agriculture Minister) and the Congress.

Farmers claim they were not involved in decision-making.

If our intentions were wrong, there would have been the need to lobby. If we are making trade tax-free, why should anyone object? There is 8.5 per cent tax in Punjab mandis and we are giving the option of tax-free trade.

Farmers fear power and fertiliser subsidies will be taken away.

I want to assure farmers that no subsidy will be stopped. The government wants to ensure farmers’ income doubles by 2022. The MSP will remain, APMC will be alive, ‘inspector raj’ will go.

Then why has SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur resigned? Was she and other stakeholders not consulted?

These steps were not announced yesterday. They were taken after due deliberation. Everyone was well aware of the roadmap in freeing farmers from regulatory red tape.

Do you feel Akali Dal left you at a time it should have stood by you?

I want to tell all political parties that there should be no politics on issues related to farmers. We will talk to farmers to dispel misinformation.

Should not there be a separate legislation for MSP?

Why is there no separate law on MSP till date despite Congress ruling for 50 years. These laws are not about MSP.

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