Centre ready to discuss farmers' issues inside and outside Parliament, assures Narendra Tomar

government on Tuesday asserted in Lok Sabha that it was ready to discuss issues related to farmers both inside and outside Parliament amid vociferous protests by Opposition which forced House to adjourn twice, first for almost an hour and n for nearly two hours.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said during Zero Hour, which began at 5 pm, that Modi government is always committed to discuss farmer's issues.

"Government is ready to discuss issues related to farmers inside and outside Parliament," he said amid sloganeering by opposition members.

Tomar's reply came after Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that 170 farmers have died during ongoing agitation against three contentious farm laws. "Atrocities are being committed on farmers. Situation is similar to British rule," he alleged.

As opposition members, including from Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, SP and BSP, trooped near well, Speaker Om Birla appealed to m to go back to ir seats so that House can taken up rmal business.

"This House is for debate and discussions. Please go back to your seats," he said. However, unrelenting opposition continued ir protests, leading to Speaking anuncing second adjournment till 7 pm.

Earlier, as soon as House met at 4 pm, opposition members disrupted Question Hour to press for repeal of three "black" laws and raised slogans.

Members from Shiv Sena were seen raising slogans from aisles. Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal was also seen holding a poster demanding repeal of contentious agriculture legislations.

Speaker urged members to return to ir seats and follow COVID-19 protocol. He said in ongoing Question Hour, questions related to farmers were listed and members can raise ir issues at that time.

He also said during debate on Motion of Thanks to President's address, members can raise se issues. But opposition members refused to relent forcing him to adjourn proceedings around 4.10 pm. Several farmers unions have been staging protests at various border points of Delhi demanding repeal of farm laws.