In a letter addressed to the protesting farmers, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated that the government is ready to give a written assurance regarding the MSP and other demands posed by the farmer-unions. The eight points of assurances given in the letter are summarized as follows:

The government is ready to give a written assurance on the MSP.

States can be given the right to impose tax on markets outside the APMC.

For any sort of disputes, farmers will have the option to approach the courts.

States will have the right to register agricultural deals.

No one can claim rights on farmers’ lands because these laws do not allow the transfer, sale, lease, and mortgage.

Contractors will not be allowed to make any changes on farmers’ lands.

Contractors will not be permitted any loan to make any developments of farmers’ lands.

Whatever the situation be, these laws do not allow anyone to seize control over farmers’ lands.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday criticized the Centre over the death of farmers near the agitation sites at the Delhi border, asking how many sacrifices farmers will have to make to get their voices heard. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party also introduced a resolution in the legislative assembly to repeal the Centre’s three new farm laws. It is important to note that the Delhi government had notified for the implementation of the Farm laws and surprisingly CM Kejriwal tore a copy of the Farm laws within weeks of its notification (of implementation).

Meanwhile, the SCI today suggested that the central government put the implementation of the new farm laws on hold, adding that it will enable negotiations with farmers. However, the Centre argued that if the enactment is put on hold, the farmers will not come forward for negotiations. The centre is deliberately avoiding consultations over the Farm laws which have serious loopholes.

As the farmers’ protest against the three new farm laws at the Delhi border enters Day 22, the apex court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking the removal of farmers protesting at the borders of Delhi. The court said that it recognizes the fundamental right to protest against a law, but, at the same time, that cannot affect other fundamental rights or right to life of others.

Another farmer from Punjab was found dead near the Tikri border near Delhi on Thursday morning, PTI quoted a police official as saying. Around 20 farmers, many of them are from Punjab, have so far died either of natural causes or in road accidents, the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) leader said.