DNA Exclusive: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar ready to hold talks at Singhu border if farmer leaders invite him

Here are the live updates: In DNA, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar speaks exclusively with Zee News.

In an exclusive interview with Zee News, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday spoke with channel Editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary, amid the farmers' protests against the agriculture laws. Thousands of farmers have been staying put at Delhi border points -- Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and Chilla (Delhi-Noida) -- for nearly two weeks against the Centre's new farm laws.

Earlier, Tomar said some "anti-social elements" are conspiring to spoil the atmosphere of the peasants' movement under the guise of farmers and appealed the protesting farming community to be vigilant against their platform being misused. He also said the government is sensitive towards farmers and is in discussion with them and their representatives to resolve their concerns.

Farmer leaders had on Thursday insisted that their ongoing protest against the Centre's new farm laws was "apolitical", after photos of protestors at the Tikri Border went viral in which they were seen holding posters demanding the release of writers, intellectuals and rationalists, arrested under various charges, on the occasion of the Human Rights Day.

Here are the live updates:

11 December 2020

21:57 IST

On the suggestion of having a meeting with farmers on Singhu border, Tomar said, "I don't have any objection to it. I have been talking to Kisan Union leaders, if they allow, I'm ready to be present there to hold talks with them."

21:56 IST

Yes, I come from a farmer family, had I been a farmer, I wd have supported these new farms laws as they would assist small farmers to do profitable agriculture. In the whole country, during the bandh, it failed to have an extensive impact even in Punjab and Haryana, says Tomar

21:55 IST

In coming days, there reports that some secessionist forces are trying to create violence, he said looking at the developments, I'm keeping a tab on such developments. The Union leaders have promised me that they wd not allow any such element to take advantage of their stir, says Tomar

21:53 IST

In earlier talks, the talks were held in a positive atmosphere, but there are certain people who are not interested in a solution rather they want to take advantage of this movement. In this movement, I could see faces of Left and those element involved with Delhi riots, are trying to intrude into this movement, I wd request farmers to save their movement from them​. They would hamper the interests of farmers, says Tomar

21:52 IST

I am pained to say that in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, members had expressed their opinions but never objected to any provision. On repealing of laws, this question arises when the govt is not ready to discuss but when we are ready with an open mind to discuss all issue there is no question of taking these laws back, says Tomar

21:52 IST

Through food processing, farmers will get maximum benefit. After independence, there have been a lot of changes but in agriculture, these reforms were lacking, through these new farm laws they would be benefitted, says Tomar

21:50 IST

Majority of these farmers are able to understand the concerns of the govt, but there are certain elements with their vested agenda are perhaps hampering the talks. PM Modi has made several plans for a farmer like Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana for farmers to help them in their old age, says Tomar

21:49 IST

PM Narendra Modi has discussed this matter with us. He told us that the solution should be found out with the discussion with farmers. He is concerned with the farmers' issue, says Tomar

21:48 IST

Farmers said that SDM is lower-level official, therefore we have said that they can approach civil court. When farmers will shift to high monetary yield crops, they will get help and be attracted through these reforms, says Tomar

21:44 IST

We have told farmer union leaders that state govts can register private mandis and impose cess or tax so that a level playing field can be created, says Tomar

21:39 IST

We have told them APMC would be strengthened. If there is no tax agri products, farmers will be the ultimate beneficiary, says Tomar to Zee News

21:36 IST

We framed these laws that private investment should reach rural areas and farmers should get the benefit. Farmers are the biggest producer but he has no right to sell his product, says Tomar to Zee News.

21:34 IST

On MSP, when we were discussing on the act, I assured in Parliament and the country that this will continue, even PM has assured the nation that it will continue, says Tomar to Zee News

21:33 IST

The farmes should leave the path of protest as govt is ready with an open mind to listen to their concerns, says Tomar to Zee News

21:24 IST

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I would like to request agitating farmers on the proposed issue, the govt has forwarded them a draft but they are yet to respond, says Tomar 

21:24 IST

Tomar will speak on farmers' protests and agriculture laws.

21:23 IST

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday will speak to Zee News Editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary on DNA at 9.30 pm.

21:20 IST

Thousands of farmers have been staying put at Delhi border points -- Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and Chilla (Delhi-Noida) -- for nearly two weeks against the Centre's new farm laws.

21:19 IST

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will speak with Zee News shortly.