Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to discuss exempting Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh form the three agriculture laws in cabinet today. Sources say the government is discussing various possibilities before taking any decision. One such option is to exempt key states from the new farm bills, including exempting Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, and also assuring that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system will continue.
Although an MSP ordinance is not officially on the agenda for today's cabinet meeting, senior government officials are not ruling it out, given the gravity of the protests on highways near Delhi with an increase in the winter chill.
The farmers protesting have rejected the Center’s proposal of making amendments in the new laws saying that only assurance will not work; they want the repeal of the laws.
The farmers believe the laws will deny them from profitable earnings if the MSP system is taken away or the minimum state-set prices at which the government buys from them, and would leave them at the mercy of the corporates.
On the contrary, the government asserted that these laws are revolutionary for the farming industry and the farmers will see improvement in their income as it will take ways middlemen and farmers would be able to sell their products anywhere in the country.
Yesterday, farmer leaders said they will make the centre revoke the laws, reflecting a strong stance on their aim while PM Modi alleged opposition for conspiring to "confuse" and mislead farmers.
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"I want to reiterate that my government is ready 24 hours to resolve all your doubts," Modi said, appealing to farmers, at a public gathering in Gujarat.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the government is willing to talk the genuine farmer’s unions and find a solution with an open mind.