Chandrababu Naidu calls for nationwide debate on farm laws
Chandrababu Naidu
Amarvati : TDP national president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday called for removal apprehensions among farmers and farmers' associations in country over the three contentious agriculture laws recently made by the Centre.
He stressed in a statement here on Saturday the need for taking up a nationwide, comprehensive debate involving all the political parties and representatives of the farmers' associations. The opinions and suggestions of all stakeholders should be taken into consideration for the sake of ensuring a better deal to the farmers from the new policies being made.
He asserted that any new law on agriculture should be made only after duly considering the literacy and awareness levels of the average farmers in rural India. There should be no haste in rushing through the bills and in making such important policies affecting the lives of crores of farmers' families.
Naidu said that the minimum support price (MSP) should be seen not just as a policy of the government but also as their lawful right. The MSP should not be left to the mercy of some individuals or sections.
Stating that the Indian farmers were known for their hard work and self-confidence, the TDP chief said that it was everybody's duty to extend a helping hand to such farmers who toil in the farms to grow crops. The rulers should protect and respect the farmers' contribution and determination.
The TDP chief expressed concern that despite having 22 MPs in the Lok Sabha, YSRCP was not breaking its silence on the farmers' issues. The previous TDP government gave bonus in addition to the MSP to the farmers during crop purchases, he added.
He demanded protection of the interests of the farmers and consumers. The regulatory mechanism of the essential commodities should be strengthened further. The Rythu Bazaars should be modernised.
The new policies should be beneficial to both farmers and consumers. If sanctions were lifted on stocking of crop produce, it would lead to black marketing more in future. The mechanism to check black marketeers and middlemen should be strengthened, he said.