It also proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including one to allay fears about the weakening of the mandi system.
The centre on Wednesday proposed to give a “written assurance” to the farmers that the existing minimum support price (MSP) system will continue, as thousands of farmers continue to protest at various border points in Delhi demanding the Centre to repeal the three new farm laws.
It also proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including one to allay fears about the weakening of the mandi system.
The government, in its draft proposal sent to 13 agitating farmer unions, said it is ready to provide the farmers with all necessary clarifications about the new farm laws enacted in September, but it did not mention anything about repealing the farm laws.
“The government has tried to address the concerns of farmers with an open heart and with respect for the farming community of the country. The government appeals to the farm unions to end their agitation,” centre’s proposal stated.
The government, on farmers’ fears that mandis would weaken after the new laws, said an amendment can be made wherein state governments can register the traders operating outside mandis. An official said that states can also impose tax and cess as they used in APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandis on them.
It has already been made it clear in the laws that no such thing will be allowed it can give in writing that no buyer can take loans against farmland nor any such condition will be made to farmers, the government said on fears that big corporates will take over farmlands.
On attaching farmland under contract farming, the centre stressed that existing provision is clear but still it can be clarified further if required.
On scrapping the proposed Electricity Amendment bill 2020, the government said there won’t be any change in the existing system of electricity bill payment for farmers.
The centre has sent the draft proposal to 3 farm union leaders including to Joginder Singh Urgrahan of the Bharatiya Kisan Union.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait told PTI: “Farmer unions have received the draft proposal from the government.”
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