Tomar counters ‘misinformed’ Pawar’s views on farm laws

New Delhi, Jan 31 : Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar has asserted that the new farm laws do not affect the current MSP system and APMC’s Mandis as well.
Countering the the views of Former Agriculture Minister and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Tomar on Sunday said that Mandis will be more competitive and cost effective in terms of services and infrastructure under the new ecosystem.
His response came a day after Pawar raised concern over the new farm laws saying these legislations will adversely affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and weaken the Mandi system.
In a series of tweets, Tomar said: “Under the new ecosystem, mandis are not affected. Instead, they 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.” “As he (Pawar) is such a veteran leader, I would like to believe that he was genuinely misinformed of the facts. Now that he has the right facts, I hope he will also change his stand and also explain the benefits to our farmers.” The Agriculture Minister claimed that new laws facilitate promotion of additional choice channel for farmers with choice to sell their produce to anyone, anywhere with hassle free movement in and outside the state to realize competitive and better net price for their produce.