Always ready for talks with farmers: Ministers

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 7

Two Central ministers said today the government was always open for talks with Punjab farmers on the “pro-farmer and pro-agriculture” laws. “The government's doors are always open for farmers for any discussion on the three Central Acts,” Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal said.

The three Acts have resulted in a prolonged standoff between Punjab farmers and the state government led by Capt Amarinder Singh, and the BJP-led NDA at the Centre.

On October 15, farmer organisations had walked out of a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal, claiming they were called for an interaction where not even one minister was present.

However, Agriculture Ministry officials said the meeting was scheduled to be held at the “level of the Secretary and farmers knew about it”. “Various issues related to farmer welfare were discussed for two hours. The Centre is committed to protecting the interests of farmers,” said the ministers.

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