Ahead of next round talks, government rules out possibility of repealing the three new farm laws

New Delhi: Ahead of the next round of talks with the farmer unions, scheduled for Friday, the government ruled out any possibility of conceding to the protestors’ demand of repealing the three new farm laws deregulating the sale of crops.

“There is no question of repealing now,” Union minister of state for agriculture Kailash Choudhary said on Thursday. “We have made these laws after a lot of homework, keeping in mind the interests of farmers at large. If they are ready for discussion on amendments, we are there with them with folded hands and bowed heads.”

Choudhary said if the government gets into withdrawing Acts duly passed by Parliament, then how will it govern. “Today, farmers are asking for repealing of farm Acts, tomorrow there will be agitation against CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and undue demand for reinstatement of Article 370. We can’t compromise with the integrity of the country,” he said.


He said the government was committed to protecting the interests of farmers while the farmer unions were adamant on fulfilling their “self-interest”.

“Still, if they agree to changes in the Acts they want, we can have a constructive discussion on minimum support price (MSP) as well,” said Choudhary.

”A proposal is also being worked out to make these laws optional for states to implement. Those which are not in sync with these laws may opt out of implementing and follow the existing system of agri trade,” said a senior agriculture ministry official, who did not wish to be identified.

The farmer unions have been demanding nothing less than repealing of the three laws. In seven rounds of talks with the government, the two sides reached a consensus on two out of the four demands of the protestors who have camped at Delhi’s borders for more than 40 days.

“On December 30, the government agreed to their demands of decriminalisation of stubble burning and to continue the current mechanism of providing subsidised power for agricultural use. Now, there can be a breakthrough only when farmer unions show flexibility,” said the official.