Supreme Court panel to hold talks with states, farmers over 3 days

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court-appointed three-member committee mandated to make recommendations on the contentious farm laws will interact with officials of the agriculture department of different states, representatives of farmer unions and other farmer organisations on February 9, 11 and 12.

“We had interactions with representatives of 32 farmer organisations and senior officials of agriculture marketing boards, private mandis and food parks across 10 states this week. Apart from that, we have received thousands of suggestions and feedback from individuals on our portal,” said PK Joshi, agriculture economist and a member of the committee.

The other two members are farmer leader Anil Ghanwat and Ashok Gulati, who is former chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices, which recommends minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

The committee has gained significance after the dialogue between protesting farmers and the government, which were being held parallel, broke down.

“The resolution has to come through dialogue only,” an official of the agriculture market board said on condition of anonymity.

The committee has to submit its findings and recommendations by March 21 after collating the views and counter views on the three central laws enacted last year.