Ryots' welfare, protection top Centre's agenda

Taking note of the ongoing agitation of farmers in Delhi, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy, assures the Centre has an open mind to listen to farmers from anywhere in the country, and is ready to address their concerns related to the three farm laws. The new reforms have unshackled the farmers and presented new rights and opportunities to them, he assets. Moreover, the minimum support price will not be affected, he assures farmers in a free-wheeling interview toVRC Phani Haran

The ongoing protests of farmers seem to confine to two or three States only. There is no similar activity and response of farmers from other States. Why is it so?

It is a fact that the recent nation-wide bandh was only a political bandh and not a farmers' one. There are special circumstances in Punjab, where, the Mandi system plays a key role in its political landscape. Whatever stand it takes influences politics there. This could be a reason for it, to have some impact on the farmers' protests in Punjab and a few adjoining parts in Haryana. Beyond that, there is no impact of farmers' agitation in any other part – in the neighbouring and other States.

What steps has the government taken so far in addressing the concerns and issues raised by farmers?

In fact, through the new agriculture laws, we have accomplished what farmers have been demanding for long. The BJP, as a party heading the government at the Centre, has no need to do anything to encourage corporate entities at the cost of farmers' interests. We are committed and sincere when it comes to farmers' interests and their welfare.

We have invited the protesting farmers from Punjab, as we are committed to addressing their concerns. Our ministers held talks.

The government has immediately agreed to their demand to give legal sanctity to the Minimum Support Price, the continuation of Mandi System, as part of eight issues raised by farmers during the talks. Initially, they did respond positively. But, after going back they have renewed their demand for scrapping of three new laws in Toto.

It would not auger well for farmers to talk like political parties at a time when the government, with an open mind, is asking them to tell us what their concerns and apprehensions about the laws. It is the Central government which has to make a decision. We are prepared to address their cancers and resolve the same.

Farmers expressed fears on entry of corporate entities that might exploit farmers for their advantage

Yes, they have raised the issue of corporate entities. It is not something happening now. There are already hundreds of corporate and private companies engaged in export of agricultural products by procuring them directly from farmers. It is also happening in Telangana State.

There are allegations govt is favouring Ambanis and Adanis by clearing the way for them to enter agri business sector

They are bringing those names to run a misleading campaign. In fact, private and corporate entities entering the agri sector took place when Congress was in power. But, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi projects, as if it is newly happening. Retail vegetable chains, like Reliance Fresh, had been already there. They have not started when we have come to power at the Centre.

How is the government addressing fears of farmers apart from making promises and assurances?

We are not making mere promises. Through the three laws, we have ensured that farmers are not at the receiving end in their dealings with corporate entities. Firstly, a farmer can exit any time from the agreement entered with the corporate entity. Secondly, an agreement between a farmer and corporate entities will not create any charge on the farmers' lands. These two provisions were not present earlier.

Contract-based agriculture is already operational in different States. Several States have different laws. We have only brought a comprehensive legislation to provide a legal framework to farmers across the country to empower them.

Also, the new laws provide fixing responsibility on the Revenue Divisional Officer and district Collector to handle the dispute resolution between farmers and the corporate entities. This is to ensure faster dispute resolution.

Until now farmers have the only option to go to courts. An ordinary farmer would not be in a position to fight his cases appealing from the district court to the high court and then to the Supreme Court vis-a-vis the corporate entities.

Can you explain what exactly your government wants to achieve through the new laws? And, how are they beneficial to the agri sector as a whole?

The Centre has initiated measures taking into consideration the Swaminathan Commission recommendations. Farmer leaders like Shetkari Sanghatan founder Sarad Joshi, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh in UP, people's and farmers' organisations affiliated to the Left parties, and even the BJP have agitated for long. Demanding freedom to farmers with no restrictions on transportation and to sell their produce anywhere to get a good price. All agitated demanding a legal framework to back it. The same thing was included in our election manifesto. The Bills were discussed in both the houses of Parliament and laws were enacted.

When it comes to empowering farmers, the Centre has launched Kishan Rails with cold storage facility. As a result, now farmers from Hyderabad (in Telangana), Anantapur, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry from AP could send their produce to markets located in faraway places. That apart, we have launched Kisan TV for capacity-building, e-Market to provide online marketing facility.

Earlier, there was an acute shortage of fertilisers and we have overcome it. The agriculture sector has not got an uninterrupted power supply. The Centre is giving high priority to the establishment of cold storage facilities and subsidy to drip irrigation has been substantially increased. Increasing the access to loans, giving a fillip to crop insurance, driving drip irrigation scheme with every drop more crop in a mission mode. Though no one asked, the Centre had identified 99 small irrigation projects pending completion for years. Steps have been taken to give grants for their early completion. Eleven such projects are provided funding in Telangana. Also, Rs 6,000 input assistance to farmers and Rs 3,000 monthly pension to farmers above 60 years- these are a series of measures taken for the protection of farmers and their welfare.

There is resentment brewing among people over dragging the name of the great teachers of Sikh tradition in the ongoing farmers' agitation. Do such great teachers have anything to do with MSP or agriculture laws? Also, protests are taking place in other countries, too. What is your take on this?

Farmers' issue is sensitive. First, we are focusing to address their concerns and to resolve the same. But, political parties which are not able to face BJP politically and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on governance are trying to exploit the situation to drive the misleading campaign against the BJP and the Centre.

We respect the democratic rights of farmers to protest. But, there is no need to organise protests in some other countries, opting other means, or, to return the awards. Because the government at the Centre is neither hesitating, has any reservations, nor, it is adamant in listening to them and sticking to its guns on any issue raised with it. They asked for legal backing for MSP and continuation of Mandis. The Centre has agreed on both demands, as part of the eight points raised during the discussions.