Offer to suspend farm-laws for 18 months stands: PM Modi
What's the story
Addressing an all-party meeting on Saturday, PM Narendra Modi reiterated the Centre stands by the offer made by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to farmers to suspend the three new farm laws for 18 months. He also urged leaders of all political parties to convey the same to their supporters at the meeting held ahead of the Union Budget presentation on Monday. Here's more.
Details
Government is trying to resolve farmers issues, says PM
Earlier, during the tenth round of talks between the Centre and farmer representatives, the government proposed to put the farm laws in abeyance for 18 months. However, farmers rejected the offer and demanded a complete repel of the laws. On Saturday, PM Modi said the government is trying to resolve farmers' issues and discussions will be held in the Parliament to end the deadlock.
Quote
Tomar told farmers he was just a phone call away
"I want to reiterate what Narendra Singh Tomar told farmers. He said we've not reached to consensus but we are giving you (farmers) the offer and you may go and deliberate. He told farmers that he was just a phone call away," PM Modi said.
Discussions
Centre ready for discussions on issues Opposition wants to discuss
Addressing reporters after the all-party meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that whatever was discussed between the farm leaders and Tomar during the 11th round of talks still stands. He also added that the Centre is ready for discussions on various issues that the Opposition wants to discuss, adding those will be taken up in the latter half of the Budget Session.
Twitter Post
Here's what the Parliamentary Affairs Minister tweeted
During the All-Party meet PM @narendramodi assured that GOI is approaching the farmers issue with an open mind. PM said GoI’s stand is same as it was on 22nd- proposal by Agriculture Minister still stands. He reiterated what Tomar Ji said - that he is phone call away for talks.
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) January 30, 2021
Statement
Modi assured government approaching farmers' issue with open mind: Joshi
"During the all-party meet PM Narendra Modi assured that GoI (Government of India) is approaching the farmers' issue with an open mind," Joshi said. "The PM said GoI's stand is same as it was on January 22 - the proposal by the Agriculture Minister still stands. He (Prime Minister) reiterated what Tomarji said—that he is a phone call away for talks," he added.
Budget Session
Opposition parties likely to attack Modi government on various issues
On Friday, when the Budget Session began, PM Modi said MPs of all parties should contribute to making the Budget Session effective in meeting the people's aspirations. However, the Opposition parties that boycotted President Ram Nath Kovind's address on Friday are likely to attack the Modi government on various issues, ranging from farmers' agitation to India-China tensions and the Centre's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.