Tomar defends farmer reforms; says no one ready to tell what is black in laws

New Delhi: After facing criticism over new farm laws by the Opposition leaders for the last two days, Friday proved to be the day of Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and he utilised his time in Rajya Sabha to defend the new farm laws.

While speaking in favour of farm laws, the Agriculture Minister said that the Opposition members are demanding repealing new farm laws but they have not yet pointed even a single shortcoming in the laws.

However, the minister made it very clear that the government's offer to amend them (farm laws) to assuage farmers' sentiments did not mean that they (farm laws) had any flaws and none from the protesting unions or their sympathisers have been able to point out any lacuna.

Various opposition parties like the Shiv Sena, SAD, NCP, Samajwadi Party and Left parties on Friday demanded in Rajya Sabha that the three new farm laws be repealed and fresh ones brought after wider consultations.

Countering the Opposition's claim that farmers across the country are agitated over the three laws, Tomar said in Rajya Sabha that farmers of just one state are being misinformed and instigated.

In an apparent reference to a booklet released by the Congress recently, the minister slammed the party by saying that "duniya janti hai pani se kheti hoti hai. Khun se kheti sirf Congress he kar sakte hai, BJP khun se kheti nahi kar sakti (The world knows water is required for farming. Only Congress can do farming using blood. BJP cannot do this)".

Acknowledging that the three laws are currently a burning issue, the senior minister said that Opposition parties criticised the government and even termed the three legislations as "kala kanun" (black law).

"For two months I kept asking farmer unions what is kala in the laws so that I can try to rectify. But I could not get the answer... Also nobody (from opposition benches) tried to point out the provisions in the laws which are against farmers," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will reply to the debate on Monday after Zero hour, lauded Tomar's remarks, saying he has given detailed information on every aspect of the legislations.

In a tweet, Modi posted a video link to Tomar's statement and said it is his humble request that people hear his speech.

Tomar, along with two other union ministers has held 11 meetings with farmers' representatives in wake of the ongoing protests, but the deadlock still continues.

Later outside Parliament, Tomar said, "Our proposal is still with the farmers and they are discussing it among themselves. We are expecting a reply from them soon. Once we get the reply, we will look into it and sit with them to find a solution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government are with farmers."

Tomar further stressed that the government is committed to the welfare of farmers and the continuation of the "mandi" system of procurement of crops on MSP-based mechanism. The laws give farmers alternatives to sell their produce outside "mandis", and unlike the state government notified market places, such sale would not attract any tax, he said.

Drawing a comparison with existing farm laws in Punjab with Centre's new farm laws, the minister said, "The new farm laws on contract farming free farmers from paying taxes on their sale and also empowers them to exit agreement with traders, while as per the provisions of Punjab contract law, a farmer could be sent to jail or liable to pay a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh for violation of agreement." Congress leaders strongly objected to the claims of the minister.

Referring to the law on farm trade, Tomar said, "It allows farmers to sell their produce outside mandis, including from their own homes, warehouses and farm land and there will be no state or central tax."

He also informed the House that there are state levies for trade inside APMC mandis, while the Central law is applicable outside the mandis and there are no taxes.

Meanwhile, proceedings of the Lok Sabha were impacted for the fourth consecutive day on Friday as opposition continued to protest over the new farm laws. It was adjourned first till 6 pm after opposition members shouted slogans from the Well of the House. When the House reconvened at 6 pm, the Speaker adjourned its proceedings till February 8 after his plea to opposition members to go back to their seats went unheeded.