New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Anil J. Ghanvat has urged the government to issue a white paper on the condition of agriculture and farmers in the country, accusing them of bringing these agricultural laws in haste without taking extensive consultations.
Anil Ghanwat, president of Shetkari Sangathan, said in an interview to ‘Bhasha’, “Even after 70 years of independence, there is no comprehensive agricultural policy in the country and till now we are following the policies made by the British which was to rob the farmers. . ,
In such a situation, the government should first issue a white paper on the condition of agriculture and farmers in the country. It should mention how many farmers there are, who are the farmers, what they grow and how they grow. In which categories, how much debt is there on the farmers and what is their condition.
Ghanvat said that the government should form a committee which has constitutional status to consider the entire dimensions of agricultural reforms.
He said that all stakeholders including agricultural experts, representatives of ministries, leaders of farmers’ organizations including farmers, leaders of political parties, leaders of opposition should be included in this committee.
Anil Ghanwat said, “This committee should have a comprehensive discussion on all the aspects related to agriculture and farmers including three agricultural laws and after detailed discussion in Parliament on its report, move towards comprehensive agricultural reforms.” ,
He said that the three agricultural laws were brought in haste by the government without taking extensive deliberations, due to which the movement was born.
Responding to a question about the report submitted to the Supreme Court, he said that the report is a confidential document, though it also recommended powers to the Revenue Adalat with regard to the dispute redressal mechanism incorporated in the agricultural laws.
He said that the committee has suggested to prepare a system on the lines of tribunal or family court to settle the grievances and disputes of farmers, where only issues related to farmers are heard.
Ghanvat said, “We have also given suggestions regarding the cess in relation to the market, from whom to take the cess. Apart from this, some suggestions have also been made regarding Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) where we believe that the circumstances and yield of each state are different.
Wheat and rice are basically grown in Punjab, which requires a lot of water, he said, “so we have also given suggestions regarding alternative crops”.