Union Minister Puri appeals to protesting farmers to resume talks with Centre

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday appealed to protesting farmers to resume talks with central government to discuss ir genuine demands, saying this is t time to remain “adamant”.

Addressing a virtual 'Kisan sammelan', he asserted that Narendra Modi-led government was taking several steps in interest of farming community.

“We are ready to hold talks with m (farmers) to discuss ir genuine demands. We are ready to find a solution of this problem, but it is necessary that farmer brors join talks again and put forth ir points face to face,” he said.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and elsewhere have been protesting near various border points of Delhi, including Singhu and Tikri, for over a fortnight demanding that Centre repeal three new farm laws.

Housing and Urban Affairs minister said Centre had given assurance on issues of minimum support price (MSP) and mandi system, as well as dispute resolution to agitating farmers.

If y have anything more to discuss, n come. But this is t time to remain adamant, he said in an apparent reference to farmers' demand of repealing farm laws.

Puri said everybody has right to hold protest in a democracy.

“But re is also a way to hold protest. If you bring tractors near national capital, that is t protest,” he said.

tably, Centre had proposed to give "written assurance" that existing MSP regime for procurement would continue.

government had also proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including one to allay fears about weakening of mandi system.

However, farmers' bodies have been seeking that three farm laws be repealed while rejecting government's proposals.

Meanwhile, Puri praised farmers of Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh for bringing Green Revolution through ir hard work.

He urged Punjab BJP leadership to sit with farmers and ask m if y believe that y will get relief with amendments proposed by government.

Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma said BJP-led government at Centre is always with farmers.

“But some people are playing politics over this issue,” he alleged.

Puri said agriculture budget under BJP-led regime grew six times to Rs 1.34 lakh crore in last six years.

foodgrain production which was 251 million tonnes in 2015-16 is w about 296 million tonnes, he added.

(IM CREDITS:PTI)