Farm committee stillborn

One of the members recuses himself

The panel of experts set up by the Supreme Court to look into the farm laws is already coming apart at the seams.

One of the panel members, Bhupinder Singh Mann, has recused himself. Mann's action comes on the heels of questions being raised in certain quarters about the impartiality of the committee members, who have been accused of supporting the farm laws in different capacities.

Mann said in the letter that he was thankful to the apex court for nominating him as one of the committee members. "As a farmer myself and a union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions among various farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me, so as to not compromise the interests of the farmers of the country. I am recusing myself from the committee but I will always stand by my farmers and Punjab."

Mann could not be reached for comments on the issue. It is understood that Mann made up his mind to opt out when his organisation BKU’s Punjab unit decided to disassociate itself from him. Some leaders have invited Mann to join the agitation against the legislations.

The other members on the committee set up on Januar y 12 included agricultural experts Ashok Gulati, Dr Pramod Kumar Joshi, and Anil Dhanawat.

Meanwhile, the government's ninth round of negotiations with protesting farmer unions will take place as scheduled on Friday and the Centre is hopeful of positive discussions, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said.

"The government is ready to hold talks with farmers' leaders with an open mind,"

The opposition, meanwhile, continued its attack on the Centre over the contentious farm laws, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that the government was "conspiring to destroy" farmers.