Narendra Singh Tomar says farmers should be cautious of protest being hijacked by anti-national elements

As farmers continue to protest over new farm laws, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in an exclusive conversation with India TV spoke in detail about the government stand on the new laws, about the draft proposal which has been sent to them, on anti-national elements, opposition trying to hijack farmers protest and other issues. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar appealed to the farmers to resolve the issue through dialogue and leave the path of agitation. He also advised them to remain cautious of the anti-national elements who are trying to hijack their protest.

. Agriculture Minister began by saying that the entire law cannot be flawed, but yes, if farmers have problems with some clauses then that can be resolved through dialogue.
. Farmers are adamant to repeal the laws even after we asked them to tell the government what were their concerns. During several rounds of talks, I was able to understand that these could be possible issues like APMCs, MSP assurance, on the electricity clause, tax on traders, their registration, and other issues. So we put these concerns before farmers who also agreed that yes these were among their concerns.
. This is what we decided on December 3 and we met again on December 5. But on Dec 5, they refused to discuss the matter clause-by-clause and demanded that laws should be repealed.
. The government took a step forward and sent a draft proposal highlighting issues that were of concern to the farmers with a possible solution to it. As the government wants that farmers can buy expensive crops, put in more investments, get better raw materials because our intention is to benefit and uplift the farmers.
. Narendra Singh Tomar mentioned some points of the draft proposal that was sent to farmers to assure them that these laws are for their benefit only. He assured that APMCs, MSP will continue. If State wants then it can put some sort of cess on private mandis so that APMCs are not affected.
. On the clause that



farmers did not have the right to go to the court, Tomar said small issues take long in courts, so the government made a provision that let SDM resolve the issue within 30 days but since farmers were not satisfied, the government brought in the clause in the proposal allowing them to go legal.
. The government wanted this act with fewer laws just to enhance ease of doing business.
. But the opposition and anti-national elements just don't want farmers to liberate, benefit.
. Narendra Singh Tomar emphasized that private investments are important for the agriculture sector to develop it further and also for farmers to increase their income. 
. These laws will open new ways for farmers to earn.

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on anti-national elements

. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the agitation was started by farmers and their unions, so he sees it through that prism only. But he said that farmers should remain aware, cautious of anti-national elements trying to hijack their protest.
. Responding to some Left-leaning people who have joined the protest and are trying to shoot from farmers shoulders to play their political game, Narendra Singh Tomar said he wants to ask those who believe in Left ideology that during their party's rule in Bengal, were they able to liberate farmers or improve the agriculture sector.
. But if they are using farmers' protests to play petty politics then this is not right.
. Narendra Singh Tomar thanked farmers for keeping the protest peaceful.
. Tomar slammed opposition parties and those accusing that the government did not discuss the bills, and asked did they raise objections to any clause when the bills were being discussed in Parliament.
. Narendra Singh Tomar said the Modi government respects protesting farmers adding Centre's intentions are clear, honest, and want to benefit farmers through these laws but if they feel something is wrong then it can be resolved through dialogue.