SC-appointed panel on farm laws plans to meet 160 farmers' unions

New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed panel is scheduled to meet 160 different farmers’ unions in the first phase to seek their opinions on the farm laws. This will include the 40 protesting farmers’ unions.

“We want to invite at least 20 farmers’ organisations for every meeting. Our next meeting is on January 27 followed by meetings on January 29 and from February 3-5. Most of the interactions will be through video-conferencing,” one of the members on the three-member committee PK Joshi told ET. The other two panel members are Shetkari Sanghthan president Anil Ghanwat and farm policy expert Ashok Gulati, who was also chairman of CACP, the government body, which recommends minimum support price for crops.

Joshi said the panel is looking at reaching out to farmers from across the country to gather contrasting views within the stipulated time so that a well-rounded picture can be presented before the top court.