New farm laws do not affect current MSP system & Mandis: Tomar

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has reiterated that the new farm laws do not affect the current Minimum support price (MSP) system and Mandis. He said, under the new ecosystem, mandis will be more competitive and cost effective in terms of services and infrastructure and both the systems will synergistically co-exist for the common interest of farmers.

Responding to NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, who criticized the new farm laws, the Minister said, new laws facilitate promotion of additional choice channels for farmers to sell their produce to anyone and anywhere with hassle free movement in and outside the state to realize competitive and better net price for their produce. He said, Mr Pawar is a veteran leader and it appears that the NCP Chief was genuinely misinformed of the facts.

The Minister expressed hope that now Mr Pawar has the right facts, so he will also change his stand and also explain the benefits to farmers. Mr Tomar said, Sharad Pawar is a veteran politician and a former Union Agriculture Minister, who is also considered well-versed with the issues and solutions relating to agriculture and he has himself tried hard to bring the same agriculture reforms earlier.