New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday urged protesting farmers to continue talks on farm laws.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal were addressing a press meet when they asked the farmers to find an amicable solution through talks.
This comes a day after the farmers' unions rejected the Centre's offer to amend the recently enacted farm laws.
Farmers' unions are to intensify agitation blocking the expressways around the national capital, as the government asks them to return to the table.
Tomar said the way of dialogue has not been broken yet and the government has given proposals to them. "We urge union leaders to consider the proposal and start the next round of talks," he said.
The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020, and the Essential Commodities Amendment Act 2020 are the biggest agricultural reforms in the country so far, the ministers maintained.
The reforms, they said, will provide the farmers with market freedom, encourage entrepreneurship, give access to technology and transform agriculture.
The minister say the government is ready to give assurance on continuing MSP and procurement and the existing system for procurement of crops on MSP (minimum support price). Also provisions will be made in the legislation to ensure a level playing field in transactions inside and outside the existing APMC mandis.
As per the proposals given to amend the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, there will be similar market fee and cess inside and outside the existing APMC mandis, imposed by the states.
Also, there will be provision of registration of traders operating outside the APMC mandis.
Presently, the law provides resolution of disputes between farmers and traders at the SDM level, but the government has said that a provision will be made that will provide for appeal in civil courts.
Goyal also outlined the various suggestions that have been given to the farmers in a proposal to address their concerns about the farm laws.
IANS report with edits