Centre invites agitating farmers’ organisations for talks on October 14

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 11

Amid escalating agitation in Punjab against the three agriculture Acts, the Centre has invited farmers’ organisations for talks with Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Aggarwal in New Delhi on October 14, top officials have confirmed.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar may also attend the meeting “depending upon the response (of the organisations) to the invitation,” they added.

“We are waiting for a formal confirmation (from farmers’ organisations) before making the announcement. The central government has sent an invitation to members of all 29 farmer organisations for another meeting in New Delhi at 11.30 am on October 14,” they said.

With farmers’ agitation gaining momentum with every passing day, official sources said the Centre was “keen to hear the side and put forth its views on the matter”. At a meeting with union ministers Rajnath Singh and Narendra Singh Tomar last week, one of the key concerns expressed by leading farmers’ leaders was regarding the MSP. While they demanded that the MSP be factored in legislation, they also wanted purchase below the support price to be made a punishable offence.

While asserting that MSP was there to stay, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said making purchase below MSP a punishable offence will hamper the functioning of the market  and adversely affect the farmers. “If the quality of grains is not good the buyer will turn him back. But today the farmer is at least able to sell on negotiated price,” he also told the farmers leaders. Regarding apprehensions that the MSP will be done away with the government has been categorical that it will continue in future.