Union Minister for Agriculture Arjun Munda has said the Centre is ready to hold a new round of talks with farmers, whose protest entered the second day on February 14, but they must ensure a conducive environment for such discussions.
Farmers largely from Punjab, Haryana and some parts of Uttar Pradesh have called for protests in Delhi in support of a range of demands including a law to assure a minimum support price for their produce.
Munda said the BJP-led Centre was always willing to talks to farmer unions but they must understand that a decision on the laws they were demanding cannot be made in haste.
“Implementing a law without careful consideration can lead to problems for everyone in the near future and attract criticism. All aspects of the law must be carefully considered and discussed,” said the minister, who was part of earlier round of talks with farmer leaders.
A thick security blanket has been thrown around the national capital, with various entry points sealed to prevent a repeat of year-long protests in 2021 when farmers laid siege to the capital demanding the scrapping of three farm laws, which were withdrawn.
Munda said farmer leaders need to maintain a conducive environment for discussions, as the protests were causing disruptions for others.
“Creating any untoward situation will not lead to positive results,” Munda said.
Farmers want the government to fulfil their eight main demands, which include a law guaranteeing purchase of crops at the minimum support price (MSP), debt waiver, stopping privatisation of the electricity sector, withdrawal of cases lodged during the previous round of protests and pension for farmers who are above 60 years of age.
On February 13, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said his party would provide a legal minimum support price (MSP) in accordance with Swaminathan Commission if voted to power.
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