Nationwide protests on Dec 14 as farmers reject Centre's proposal
New Delhi, Dec 09: Farmer Unions have rejected government's proposal to amend the new farm laws, and have called for a nationwide sit-in protest on December 14.Farmers also said that the Delhi-Jaipur highway will be blocked by December 12.
"We reject the government's proposals," Darshan Pal, President of Krantikari Kisan Union at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana border).
"On the 14th, there is a call to all north Indian farmers to come to Delhi for "Dilli Chalo" march. Farmers in South India and other distant states will protest at district headquarters and indefinite protest sites will be started." There is a call for boycotting Jio services and similarly Adani/Ambani malls, products etc.
The government had proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including one to allay fears about the weakening of the mandi system.
In a draft proposal sent to 13 agitating farmer unions, the government also said it is ready to provide all necessary clarifications on their concerns about the new farm laws enacted in September, but it did not mention anything about the main demand of protesting farmers for the repeal of the laws.
Home Minister Amit Shah in Tuesday night''s meeting with 13 union leaders had said the government would send a draft proposal on key issues raised by the farmers regarding the three farm laws, even though the meeting had failed to break the ice with farm union leaders who are insisting for repealing these laws.
The sixth round of talks between the government and farm union leaders, which was scheduled for Wednesday morning, has also been cancelled.
In the proposal, sent by Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Vivek Aggarwal, the government said is ready to consider with an open heart the objections which farmers have on the new farm laws.
"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 the Kisan unions to end their agitation," it said.
On farmers'' fears that mandis would weaken after the new laws, the government said an amendment can be made wherein state governments can register the traders operating outside mandis. States can also impose tax and cess as they used in APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandis on them.
On concerns that farmers may be duped as anyone having just a pan card is allowed to trade outside APMC mandis, the government said to rule out such apprehensions, the state governments can be given the power to register such traders and make rules keeping in mind the local situation of farmers.
On
the
issue
of
farmers
not
getting
the
right
to
appeal
in
civil
courts
for
dispute
resolution,
the
government
said
it
is
open
to
making
an
amendment
to
provide
for
an
appeal
in
civil
courts.
Currently,
the
dispute
resolution
is
at
SDM
level.
On
fears
that
big
corporates
will
take
over
farmlands,
the
government
said
it
has
already
been
made
clear
in
the
laws,
but
still,
for
clarity''s
sake,
it
can
be
written
that
no
buyer
can
take
loans
against
farmland
nor
any
such
condition
will
be
made
to
farmers.
On attaching farmland under contract farming, the government said the existing provision is clear but still it can be clarified further if required.
On fear about the scrapping of the MSP regime and shifting of trade to private players, the government said it is ready to give a written assurance that the existing MSP will continue.
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On demands to scrap the proposed Electricity Amendment bill 2020, the government said there won''t be any change in the existing system of electricity bill payment for farmers.
On farmers'' demand to scrap the Air Quality Management of NCR Ordinance 2020, under which there is the provision of penalty for stubble burning, the government said it is ready to find an appropriate solution.
The draft proposal has been sent to 13 farm union leaders including Joginder Singh Urgrahan of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), one of the biggest among nearly 40 agitating unions.
"Farmer unions have received the draft proposal from the government," Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait told PTI. He is one of the many union leaders participating in the ongoing negotiations with the government.
The government has proposed seven amendments in the two new laws -- The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.
However, it has not touched The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 at all.
The government said India can achieve food security only with the hard work of farmers.
"During Green Revolution, farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh had played a big role. To ensure food security, buying grains at MSP is the government''s priority," it noted.
The government further said the new laws were enacted to give more options for farmers to sell their produce along with the existing mandis so that farmers are able to get a better price and are able to grow high-end crops for that market. The idea was to give farmers the freedom to sell their produce like other producers.
On farmers'' demand to provide registration of farming contracts, the government said till state governments make an arrangement for registration, an appropriate facility will be provided at the SDM office wherein a copy of the contract can be submitted 30 days after its signing.
On Constitutional validity of farm laws, the Centre said it has the power under Entry 33 of the Concurrent List to pass laws on contract farming and intra- and inter-state trade, and prohibit states from imposing fees/cess outside APMC areas. It had followed legal provisions while enacting the laws and earlier for bringing ordinances, it added.