Farm laws: SC-appointed panel holds consultations with agro-processing industries

Supreme Court-appointed committee on farms laws issue on Tuesday said it held consultations with agro-processing industries including ITC and Amul on legislations.

This is sixth meeting panel has held so far. three-member committee is holding consultations with stakeholders both through online mode and in person.

In a statement, committee said it held interactions with various agro-processing industries, associations, and procurement ncies on Tuesday.

Amid agitation by farmers who are camping on Delhi's borders since vember end, Supreme Court h on January 12 stayed implementation of three contentious farm laws for two months and asked committee to submit a report after consulting stakeholders during this period.

In total, 18 different stakeholder organisations participated through video conference in detailed deliberation with committee members, panel said.

se stakeholders included Amul, ITC, Suguna Foods, Venkateshwara Hatcheries, industry bodies CII and FICCI, as well as state-run Food Corporation of India, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Among sector-specific associations, Horticulture Produce Exporters Association, Seafood Exporters Association, All India Rice Miller Association, All India Rice Exporters Association, Tractor Manufacture Association, Cotton Association of India, Fertiliser Association of India, India Pulses and Grain Association and All India Poultry Feed Manufacturer Association participated in deliberations.

Representatives of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) participated in meeting in person.

"All stakeholder participants gave ir detailed views and valuable suggestions on three farm laws," committee said in statement.

Thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Presh, have been camping at Delhi's borders for over two months w seeking repeal of new laws introduced by Centre last year, claiming y were pro-corporate and could weaken mandi system.

11 rounds of talks between Centre and 41 protesting farmer unions have failed to end delock even though former has offered concessions including suspension of legislations for 18 months which unions have rejected.