Farmers' stir: Tomar says hopeful of protesting unions resuming talks with Govt soon

As farmers' agitation against three farm laws entered its 27th day, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Tuesday he is hopeful that protesting unions would soon complete ir internal discussions and resume talks with government to resolve crisis.

He met two more peasants'' bodies from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh that extended support to legislations.

"Representatives of different farmers'' bodies had come to tell that laws are good and are in interest of farmers. y had come to urge government t make any amendments to laws," Tomar said after meeting two groups.

"I am hopeful y (protesting farmers'' unions) will soon complete ir internal discussions and come forward for talks. We will be able to find a solution successfully," minister said.

Agriculture Ministry had written to protesting groups on Sunday, urging m to specify ir concerns on government''s proposal and finalise a date for next round of talks to end protests. At least five rounds of formal talks have failed to break deadlock as agitating unions have t agreed to anything less than repeal of laws.

UP-based Kisan Sangarsh Samithi (KSS) and Delhi-based Indian Kisan Union (IKU) are among those farmer groups that have extended support to laws in last three weeks. previous groups were from Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

However, nearly 40 groups are agitating against laws on various Delhi borders.

protesting groups have maintained that new laws will eliminate safety net of minimum support price (MSP), do away with mandi (wholesale market) system and leave m at mercy of big corporates. government has been saying that se apprehensions are misplaced.

Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Nagar as well as former Uttarakhand Minister and IKU National President Ramkumar Walia were also present in Tuesday's meeting.

" three laws enacted by Centre are good and are in interest of farming community," KSS President Ajay Pal Pradhan told PTI after meeting.

While supporting laws, KSS also urged minister to ensure that procurement at minimum support price (MSP) continues.

Pradhan claimed that thousands of farmers who have come in tractors in support of laws have been stopped at border and refore a select group has come for meeting.

In its representation made to Tomar, KSS also requested Centre to implement 2011-12 agreement signed between farmers of Gautam Buddha Nagar with ida, Greater ida and Yamuna Development Authorities.

"Even after High Court order, development authorities are t implementing agreement under which UP government had decided to give 10 per cent of developed land to farmers whose land was acquired for development and housing project," Pradhan said.

KSS furr demanded that government should tify only that much land which is required for development. In Secunderabad industrial area, industries have developed 45 per cent of land acquired and rest is t used yet.

" land was acquired in 1972, but only on paper, industries are made functional. infrastructure has been developed. re is proper road and water facility. Villrs are finding it difficult," Secunderabad Block Pramuk Pushpendra Bhati said.

KSS also demanded steps towards modernisation of mandis, use of mandi tax for development of mandis, a scheme to reduce tubewell charges and farm loan at a lesser interest rate, among ors.

"We have read farm laws in detail and are in favour of farmers. We urge farmers t to get misled on this issue," Walia said.

new agri laws will end middlemen and give options for farmers to sell ir produce, he added.