As the farmers’ protest entered the 22nd day on Thursday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar wrote an eight-page open letter in a bid to clear confusion over the three contentious agrarian laws.
Tomar urged the farmers not to believe the “white lies” being spread by some people about MSP, APMCs and contract farming.
In his letter to the farmers with six assurances that the Centre is ready to provide, Tomar stated that MSP, APMCs will continue and whatever the situation be, these laws do not allow anyone to seize control over farmers lands.
“New farm laws will constitute the foundation of new phase of agricultural growth in the country and it will make the farmers more empowered and free them of any bondages,” Tomar said in the letter, allaying their apprehensions.
The Minister reiterated that the Government was ready to provide a written assurance on MSP and said State Governments can be allowed to levy tax on private markets outside the APMCs.
Tomar also stated that States will have the right to register agricultural deals and no one can claim rights on farmers’ lands because these laws do not allow the transfer, sale, lease and mortgage.
“Contractors will not be allowed to make any changes on farmers’ lands and contractors will not be permitted any loan to make any developments of farmers’ lands,” the letter stated.
“Some farmer groups have spread rumours and misinformation. It is my job to dispel them come from a farming family. Those sitting on railway tracks who stopped rations reaching our soldiers protecting our borders, can’t be farmers,” the letter stated.
He said farmers from several States have hailed the farm reforms and new laws while some unions misleading the farmers over the laws.
Tomar claimed most of the farmers are happy with the farm bills but some confusion has been created by a certain section as part of a conspiracy to create tensions based on falsehood.
“I belong to a farmer’s family and since childhood, I have experienced the tough life of farmers. It is very satisfactory that after implementation of the law, MSP procurement has set a new record this time,” Tomar went on to add.
He also pointed out that to ensure better infrastructure for the benefit of farmers, the Centre has created an “Agricultural Infrastructure Fund” of Rs 1 lakh crore.
Repeating the Centre’s attack on the Congress’ hypocrisy over the farm laws, Tomar has mentioned that the previous Governments were also a proponent of the reforms announced in the agriculture sector.
Besides letter, the Government has also issued an e-booklet highlighting the success stories of farmers who have benefited from contract farming after enactment of these legislations. In the 100-page e-booklet “Putting Farmers First”, the Government said it has made clear the “truth” about the farm reforms and has mentioned “what will happen” and “what will not happen” for farmers.
Highlighting briefly the success stories of farmers who have benefitted from the new laws, the Government said, “There are many success stories already for such market access across various States.”
“Nearly 1,300 farmers in the Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh recently entered into an agreement with Fortune Rice to produce export quality paddy and are earning 15-20 per cent higher income,” it said.
More than 2,500 potato farmers across north Gujarat are earning nearly Rs 40,000 more per acre under agreement with potato processing company HyFun Foods, it said. Over 1,000 seed potato farmers across Punjab, northern Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh are earning guaranteed 35 per cent margin above cost under the agreement with Technico Agri Sciences Ltd, the Government said.