Ready for alternative to law repeal: Tomar
NEW DELHI: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday again appealed to the farmers unions to suggest ways to resolve the deadlock over the agrarian reforms implemented by the Modi government.
Prior to the next round of talks on January 19 with the farmer unions, he said if the farmer unions could suggest any alternative solution, apart from the repeal of the 3 farm laws, the government would certainly consider it.
On the other hand, as the ongoing farmer agitation at the borders of the national Capital has entered the 53rd day, the farmer unions have clearly said they would continue with all their programmes announced earlier to intensify the protest.
The Minister in a statement to IANS said in the next round of talks, the farmers unions should discuss the 3 laws point-wise and express their reservations, and the Centre would consider these. Apart from repeal of the three laws, the government would seriously consider whatever alternatives the farmers suggest, he added.
"Now the Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of the laws, there is no question of being stubborn," the Agriculture Minister told media persons.
SC panel first meet on Jan 19
The Supreme Court-appointed committee on the farm laws is scheduled to hold its first meeting on January 19 at Pusa campus in Delhi, its member Anil Ghanwat said on Sunday. “We are meeting on January 19 at the Pusa campus. Only members will meet to decide the future course of action," Ghanwat, President of Shetkari Sanghatana (Maharashtra), told PTI. "One of the four members has backed out of the committee. If the apex court does not appoint a new member, the existing members will continue," he said.
The Supreme Court may take into account the matter of recusal of the member from the panel on Monday when it is scheduled to hear the pleas relating to the controversial farm laws and the farmers protests.
About the government holding parallel talks with protesting farmer unions after the setting up of the SC panel, he said, "We have no issue if a solution is found and the protests end from either (efforts of) our panel or from the government's separate talks with the protesting farmer unions."
"Let (govt) them continue the discussion, we have been given a duty and we will focus on that," he added.