Farm laws: Farmer groups boycott talks over ministers' absence; govt says open for discussions

More than two dozen farmer organisations on Wednesday boycotted a meeting on new farm laws convened by central government as y were miffed by absence of Union ministers, even as agriculture ministry said meeting was scheduled only at secretary level.

On a day of dramatic developments, representatives of 29 farmer organisations shouted slogans and tore copies of new farm laws outside Krishi Bhavan in national capital after y boycotted meeting.

More than 30 representatives, who h come in a bus, were mostly senior citizens but h t worn face masks despite COVID-19 pandemic. representatives were unhappy at absence of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and ministers of state for agriculture in meeting.

" government has always been serious about agriculture. Centre invited 29 farmer unions from Punjab, which were protesting in last few days, for discussion. meeting was scheduled at Agriculture Secretary level," Tomar said in a tweet.

In a late evening statement, agriculture ministry also clarified that meeting was scheduled to be held at Agriculture Secretary level and asserted that government is always committed to protecting interest of farmers and is open for discussions.

" proper discussion took place. Neir Union agriculture minister r junior ministers were present to hear our concerns. We asked why minister is t meeting us, why government is playing double standards by calling us here and ministers holding virtual meetings in Punjab. re was proper response," Darshan Pal, member of coordination committee of 29 farmers' organisations, told PTI.

Since re was response from Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agrawal, who was chairing meeting, farmers' organisations decided to boycott meeting, he said.

Shortly after representatives walked out of meeting, both Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and S President Sukhbir Singh Bal termed minister's absence from meeting with farmers an "insult" to "anndatas".

For minister's absence, Chief Minister Singh accused Centre of "ding salt to farmers' wounds" and harbouring "malice and ill-intent" towards m, while Bal said absence was aimed at "insulting farmers' intelligence and people of Punjab".

Referring to meeting with representatives, ministry said various issues related to farmers' welfare were discussed for about two hours.

At end of meeting, two memorandums on behalf of farmer unions were submitted to Secretary Sanjay Agrawal, ministry said in a statement.

Farmers have said that y would anunce ir next course of action on October 15 after a meeting in Chandigarh.

Harjinder Singh from Aj Kisan Sangathan said, " agriculture secretary h invited us to take our feedback on new farm laws. We thought agriculture minister would be re, but only secretary was present." "We knew secretary h authority and re is point discussing it with him. We decided to boycott," he ded.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda) president Buta Singh Burjgill told PTI over phone that in meeting, only agriculture secretary was present for holding talks even though farmers were assured that Central government would talk to m.

Burjgill said he told agriculture secretary that "on one side, you have called us for meeting here and on or, several union ministers have been holding rallies and doing propaganda in Punjab. se are double standards." Earlier in day, Information and Brocasting Minister Prakash Javekar said government is always open for discussions with farmers on new farm laws.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar have alrey held one round of discussion with farmer organisations on this issue, Javekar said.

Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with farmers of Sangrur and Barnala districts.

Farmers in Punjab have been demanding repeal of three laws passed by Parliament recently. Besides blocking rail tracks, farmers have laid siege to toll plazas, fuel pumps, shopping malls of some corporates and std sit-ins outside residences of several BJP leers.

As anger of farmers over new legislation continues to simmer, eight Union ministers, including Hardeep Singh Puri, have been deputed to hold virtual rallies over eight days from October 13 onwards to "dress apprehensions" of farmers in Punjab.

Farmers have expressed apprehension that new laws will pave way for dismantling of minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving m at "mercy" of big corporates.

government, however, has been saying that laws passed by Parliament recently amid a vociferous protest will raise farmers' income, free m from clutches of middlemen and usher in new techlogy in farming.