Published 19:20 IST, December 17th 2020

Agriculture Minister writes letter to farmers with 8-point assurance, exposes Oppn's lies

After having led 6 rounds of discussions with the unions, Narendra Singh Tomar has now written an open letter to the farmers highlighting govt's assurances

Reported by: Jitesh Vachhatani
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As farmers' protest enters 22nd day on Thursday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has written an open letter to all farmers to clear confusion over three contentious agrarian laws. Union Minister concluded his 8-p long letter to farmers with six assurances that Centre is ready to provide. Tomar has so far led six rounds of deliberations with farmers' unions which have ended inconclusively and has maintained that Centre remains open to furr deliberations as well. 

In his letter to farmers, Narendra Tomar has highlighted benefits of three farm laws, mentioned support extended by several farmers' unions and also launched a scathing attack on Opposition for creating 'illusions' just to reap 'political benefits'.

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Narendra Tomar's letter to farmers

"As Agriculture Minister, it is very pleasing to kw that after implementation of new laws, procurement by government on MSP has broken several records. At a time when such records are being broken and number of purchase centres are increasing, some people are lying to farmers that MSP will be abolished. I request all farmers to identify this lie by political opportunists and scrap it. government which has provided farmers 1.5 times of MSP, which has ensured that farmers receive twice of usual benefits in last 6 years, that government will never abolish MSP. Through PM Kissan Samman Nidhi, it is our objective to ensure that you get Rs 6000 yearly so that you dont have to seek loans during difficult times," he wrote. 

READ | Amit Shah Chairs Key Meet Over Farmers' Protest; Tomar, Sitharaman & Goyal In Huddle

He also pointed out that to ensure better infrastructure for benefit of farmers, Centre has created an 'Agricultural Infrastructure Fund' of Rs 1 lakh crores. Repeating Centre's attack on Congress' hypocrisy over farm laws, Tomar has mentioned that previous governments were also a proponent of reforms anunced in Agri sector.

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"Through this letter, I want to tell you that in last 20-25 years can anyone show me any statement from any politician or union which has said that farmers should t be provided with market options to sell ir produce and that existing system is good. Several big unions have often demonstrated against se shackles of market. Agricultural experts say that without se reforms it would be difficult to bring a change in lives of Indian farmers," Agriculture Minister wrote. 

READ | BKU Members Meet Agriculture Min; Extend Support To Farm Laws, To Highlight Benefits

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He also asserted that Congress had mentioned se reforms in ir 2019 General Elections Manifesto whereas Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had promised same in ir manifesto for Punjab Assembly Elections. Narendra Tomar concluded his letter with assurances that Centre is ready to provide to farmers. se include: 

  • government is ready to give a written assurance on MSP 
  • States can be given right to impose tax on markets outside APMC
  • For any sort of disputes, farmers will have option to approach courts
  • States will have right to register agricultural deals 
  • one can claim rights on farmers' lands because se laws do t allow transfer, sale, lease and mortg
  • Contractors will t be allowed to make any changes on farmers lands 
  • Contractors will t be permitted any loan to make any developments of farmers lands 
  • Whatever situation be, se laws do t allow anyone to seize control over farmers lands

READ FULL LETTER HERE

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READ | MASSIVE: PM Modi To Address Farmers In M.P Amid Ongoing Protests Against Agri Reforms

Amit Shah chairs key meet 

Union Agriculture Minister's letter to farmers came minutes after his meeting with Union Home Minister on Thursday. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were said to be present in meeting on Thursday at BJP headquarters. Meanwhile, as a part of BJP's massive outreach programme - Kissan Chaupal Sammelan - an attempt to apprise peasants of benefits of three farm laws introduced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address farmers in Madhya Pradesh on Friday. PM Modi's address will be telecast in around 23,000 vills, according to official sources. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with his or ministers, will also participate in event from Raisen district, y said.

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READ | SC Impleads 8 Farmer Unions In Pleas Seeking Removal Of Protesters From Delhi Borders

19:20 IST, December 17th 2020