The ongoing farmer agitation has taken a new turn with protesters deciding to intensify their agitation since December 14 after their talks with the Government of Narendra Modi it failed and they also rejected the offer of “written guarantees.” In such a critical situation, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivediin an interview he says what he thinks about the role of politicians, their double standards that are deepening their credibility crisis, the need for liberalization of the agricultural sector and some other relevant issues. Excerpts:
Q: How serious is the Narendra Modi government in solving the crisis arising from the ongoing farmer upheaval?
A: As far as the Modi government is concerned, it is totally sensitive to the problems of farmers. Several rounds of talks have already taken place. The government is ready to give guarantees even in writing, as declared by the agriculture minister, Narendra Singh Tomar. So there is no laxity on the part of the government.
Q: What do you have to say about the role of the opposition in agitating the farmers?
A: This movement and the role of the opposition is also sending a message that there is a credibility crisis for politicians: they say something and do something else. Whatever they (the opposition parties) have said, written or done when they were in power, they are now saying the opposite.
MP of Congress Rahul gandhi today he represents Kerala where there is no Agricultural Products Market Committee (APMC). But he has become a standard bearer in Delhi instead of pointing out the problem in the state he represents, the Lok Sabha. In Punjab, there is no CMPA for fruits and vegetables. But they (the ruling Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal [SAD]) are not doing anything about this.
Q: How true is the fear of agitator farmers that companies will take over agriculture?
A: Pepsi is the largest food company in the world. It was hosted by Punjab 30 years ago. In fact, Punjab was the first state to have a joint venture with any multinational corporation (MNC), even in the time of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. In 2019, the Prime Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, laid the foundation stone for the Pepsi factory.
In another case, it was the UPA-1 government led by Congress that was the first to introduce corporations to buy food. In 2005, it awarded a contract to the Adani group for the acquisition of surplus food. The contract was awarded for a period of 15 years starting in 2007 and with an assured profitability of 12 percent. Which government started business participation in agriculture? It was Congress, not the BJP. And if it was wrong, why did Congress incorporate the corporate houses? The history of corporate deals in their agricultural policy ranges from PepsiCo to Adani and now they are telling an opposite “kahani (story)”.
Q: Do you think it is time for agriculture to be liberalized as well?
A: You can say that the implementation of the three agricultural laws It is a 1991 moment for the agricultural sector. Because almost all sectors have been liberalized: education, health, manufacturing, services, medicine and even defense. So why should agriculture remain captive? Farmers must also have the opportunity to prosper and develop. The biggest oxymoron is that the self-proclaimed champions of liberalization are becoming the biggest impediment to depriving farmers of the fruits of liberalization.
QUESTION: Protesters have expressed doubts about the Modi government’s intentions on MSP. what do you have to say about it?
A: Those who doubt the intention of the Modi government on MSP should go back to the commitments and agreements that the congressional government virtually ceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2013. The Modi government took a totally opposite stance. and solid as a rock. stance in Bali in August 2014 despite international pressure. Otherwise, the entire MSP procedure could have been threatened. This demonstrates the strong commitment of the Modi government in the interest of farmers’ PMS.
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