Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 22: A group of farmers on Tuesday protested against the central government’s farmers’ bills urging the BJP-led state government to hold a dialogue with the farmers before implementing them in the coastal state.

A group of farmers representing various farming associations gathered at Azad Maidan in Panaji to express their objection toward the bills, which were passed in the parliament.

“State government should discuss this bill with the farmers before implementing it in the state. The farmers need to know what exactly is in the bill,” said Cecille Rodrigues, representing the farmers from Taleigao village, near Panaji.

She said that the bills should not be forced on the farmers, without their consent.

During the protest, the farmers demanded that deputy chief minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, who is also holding the agriculture portfolio, should intervene in the matter and call for a meeting of the farmers.

Mapusa-based farmer, Anil Kerkar said that the bill expects to help only few corporate houses, which are aiming to take over the farming sector. He appealed to the union AYUSH minister and North Goa MP, Shripad Naik to get the bill scrapped from the centre in the interest of the Goan farmers.