New Delhi: A member of a committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to resolve the impasse over the three controversial farm laws, now wants the panel’s report to be made public for debate and discussions.
Anil Ghanwat, leader of the farm outfit Shetkari Sanghatana and part of the three-member committee, has also written to Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, stating that the committee’s report has addressed all apprehensions of the farmers.
“The committee is confident that its recommendations will pave the way to resolve the ongoing farmer’s agitation,” the letter reads, adding that the panel has incorporated opinions and suggestions of all stakeholders with the aim of maximum benefits to farmers.
Ghanwat has also written that the report could end the impasse, as the farmers’ agitation shows no signs of abating.
“As a member of the committee, especially representing the farmers’ community, I’m pained that the issues raised by the farmers haven’t yet been resolved and the agitation is continuing,” reads the letter, a copy of which is with ThePrint.
The letter has also pointed out that while the committee was constituted on 12 January, it had submitted its report on 19 March, which “was before the stipulated time”.
It has added that the SC didn’t give any attention to the report and should release the report for implementation of its recommendations for “peaceful resolution of the stalemate to farmer’s satisfaction at the earliest”.
The two other members of the committee include agricultural economist Ashok Gulati and Pramod Kumar Joshi, director, South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute.
Forced to write the letter: Ghanwat
Speaking to ThePrint on the issue, Anil Ghanwat refused to disclose the recommendation made to the apex court as the matter is still sub judice.
“We had around 30 meetings in the process of formulation recommendations of the committee. SC should either put it in the public domain or do a hearing of the matter by listing it,” he said. “A debate on the recommendations is necessary to bring an end to the farmers’ agitation. The government and SC are also not budging on the recommendations submitted by the committee, which has forced me to write this letter.”
“Protesting farm unions should come to the table and be more flexible from their stand of repeal to find a solution to this situation,” he added. “If they want a repeal of the farm laws even after going through the recommendations, then they should go back to continue with their protest.”
He further said that if farmers point out any fault in the recommendations, the committee is open to amending them.
“The huge ongoing rallies can lead to a huge law and order problem in the future,” he added. “More than 600 farmers have died on the road so far under this protest and I feel pain seeing these things as I’m also a farm leader and they are my brethren.”
(Edited by Arun Prashanth)
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