New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reached out to farmers, mostly from protest-hit Punjab and Haryana, and met them at his residence here to discuss the new farm laws.
The meeting with the farmers came in the backdrop of protests against the laws by opposition parties, including the Congress.
Singh along with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar sat with the farmers for more than an hour and discussed at length all issues related to the farming sector, including the farm laws.
MJ Khan, chairman of ICFA, in conversation with ETV Bharat After the meeting both the ministers and the farmers, many of whom are Padma Shri recipients, applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led government at the Centre for bringing these legislations.
The meeting came even as Congress leaders are agitating against the three recently enacted farm laws.
The meeting was moderated by MJ Khan, Chairman of Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture.
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Speaking to ETV Bharat, Khan said that the work that the government should have done before introducing the bill in the Parliament is now being done so that the apprehensions in the minds of the farmers can be removed.
He said that when the protest of the farmers started, there was no role of political parties in it, but later, the political parties also started looking for opportunities in it and supported the agitations.
"These reforms were needed for a long time and in the year 2008, when the Congress was in power, a committee was formed under the chairmanship of Bhupendra Singh Hooda which had made such proposals," said Khan.
When asked why some farmers are protesting against these legislations, Khan claimed that they are not aware of these laws and misunderstanding has been created among them by some elements.
The government has already made it clear that the Minimum Support Price system will stay so now there should not be any fear and concern among farmers, he said.
"They may not understand immediately but if we talk about far-reaching results, then everyone related to agriculture will benefit. There will be major reforms and better facilities due to investment in agriculture," he added.
It is to be mention here that last week, Rajnath Singh had assured farmers that the Minimum Support Price will stay and it will continue to rise.
He had also said that he will talk to farmers to clear all their apprehensions about these three farm-related bills.
Also Read:Punjab farmers reject Centre's invite for discussion on Agri laws
