CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday cautioned the Centre against attempts to "bring back" the now-repealed farm laws "through backdoor."
The state government will vehemently oppose any such moves, he said.
Earlier, Mann had slammed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government for meting out ‘step-motherly treatment to the farmers by not giving them an opportunity to air their genuine demands.’
The AAP-led Punjab government has termed the newly announced draft policy as an attempt to reintroduce the three central agricultural laws passed in 2020 "through backdoor."
After a year-long protest by farmers, the Centre had repealed the laws.
Interacting with the media at his official residence on Thursday, Mann said it is unfortunate that after coming to power at the Centre, the Modi-led government has not bothered to solve issues relating to the farmers.
The Punjab CM slammed the Centre for ignoring the demands of the farmers as a result of which Jagjit Singh Dallewal is continuing his hunger strike. Adhering to the Supreme Court's direction, the state government has deployed over 50 doctors to take care of the health of the farmer leader, he said.
Mann made an appeal to the farmer leader to end his fast as his life was too important for the country and food growers.
Mann accused the Centre of shying away from holding talks with the farmers and trying to put the onus on the state government.
The CM said that instead of making any effort to redress the grievances of the farmers, the Centre is trying to fix the responsibility on the farmers.
"All the demands of the farmers pertain to the Centre, whether they come from the two forums leading the ongoing agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders or from other farmers' unions. The demands are the same, even though the farm unions may differ," Mann said.
"Why does the Centre not invite farmers for a dialogue?" he asked.
Farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
They have been protesting with several demands, one of which is a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
"These are the two forums with which central ministers Piyush Goyal and the then Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, along with a team of officers, held many rounds of talks earlier. Decisions have to be made by the farmers' organisations, and I was acting as a bridge (between the farmers and the Centre when talks were held in February)," said Mann.
He added that the Punjab government has made numerous efforts in the past with the Centre to hold talks with the farmers.
Moreover, Mann accused the Centre for failing to provide DAP fertilizers to the farmers and to procure rice from the state. Instead of addressing these issues, the Centre is trying to create a rift in the state, especially between farmers and the government.
Mann said that his government is giving highest SAP to sugarcane cultivators, efforts are being made to lift the water level in the state and others adding that more efforts are being made to make agriculture a profitable venture.
(With inputs from PTI)