Those Opposing Farm Laws "Failed To Point Out Single Flaw": Minister

Protests over farm laws are limited to only "one state" and farmers are being "instigated", Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in parliament today, as the massive agitation on the borders of Delhi entered 72nd day. The minister's "one state" attack refers to the protest led by farmers mainly from Punjab, a Congress-ruled state, as he countered the opposition's allegation that farmers across the country are agitated over the three new laws.

"Farmer unions, opposition parties have failed to point out a single flaw in three new farm laws," he said in the upper house, adding that the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are committed to the welfare of farmers.

"We are not standing on prestige. We have been asking what is black in this law and no one is forthcoming," Mr Tomar said, reiterating the centre's stand.

"We have been talking with farmer unions for a long time. They have our proposal and they are discussing it among themselves. We are expecting a reply from them soon, after which we will look into it and sit with them to find a solution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government are with farmers. The best programmes for farmers were launched in the last six years," the Agriculture Minister told NDTV later outside parliament.

The Congress and other opposition parties, who support the demand of farmers that the laws be repealed, have attacked the government in parliament over the issue even as it defended the contentious new laws.

Attacking the government, opposition parties said trenches have been dug, barbed wires put up and spikes installed at the sites of farmers' protests, whereas bridges should have been built to win over them.

Mr Tomar today said that an agriculture infrastructure fund worth Rs. 1 lakh crore has been provided under the Atmanirbhar package and that the centre has tried to ensure that requisite investment reaches the agriculture sector.

Mr Tomar made the comments after he intervened during the discussion on a motion thanking the President for his address to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at the start of the Budget Session.

Farmers fear the new laws will deprive them of guaranteed minimum earnings and leave them open to exploitation by big business. Eleven rounds of talks have been held between the farmers and the government but there been no breakthrough. The farmers have turned down the centre's last offer to put the laws on hold for 18 months while a special committee conducts negotiations.