Protesting farmers should not isolate themselves from the majority who favour new laws: MoS Kailash Choudhary

New Delhi: Ahead of the scheduled talks with protesting farmers’ unions on Monday, Union MoS for agriculture Kailash Choudhary told ET that the government was hopeful of a “constructive” resolution.

“If they come as farmers without any political thought in mind, we will resolve the issues in no time. We understand their pain. We are also worried about the health of farmers, especially the old,” he said.

Choudhary said the government was well-prepared to discuss the laws clause-by-clause. “If farmers convince us with their logic, we will immediately accept their amendment suggestions,” he said on Sunday.


Choudhary said the Modi government has always worked for the welfare of the farming community. “Protesting farmers should also consider those who are in support of these Acts. They should not isolate themselves from the majority who favour the laws.”

In their last meeting on December 30, the government had agreed to farmers’ demands related to air pollution and draft electricity bill. It had also proposed to constitute a committee to look into their other demands.

“We are open to this. But they should also agree to it. It is one of the ways to arrive at a consensus,” he said.

Even as the Supreme Court hearing in the matter will resume on Tuesday, an agriculture ministry official said: “If talks fail, all eyes will be on it.”