**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 577, regarding farmers' demands. The response, to be answered on February 3rd, 2026, addresses concerns about farmer resistance, the release of activists, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and national policy decisions related to trade agreements. The government states it is committed to dialogue and protecting farmers' interests.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Dialogue with Farmers:**
* Issues relating to farmers are addressed proactively, expeditiously and amicably.
* After repealing the three Farm Laws in 2021, seven rounds of discussions were held with Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM).
* Discussions were held on February 8th, 12th, 15th, 18th 2024, February 14th, 22nd 2025 and March 19th 2025.
* Most issues raised by farmers' organizations have been resolved through sustained dialogue.
* **Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act & Law Enforcement:**
* 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
* The primary responsibility to prevent, detect, register, investigate crimes (including those under the UAPA), and prosecute criminals lies with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
* **Government Commitment to Farmers' Interests:**
* The government is committed to the socio-economic development of farmers and protection of their interests.
* National policies, including subsidies on fertilizers, procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP), and direct income support (₹6,000 per year to farmers under DBT), are formulated solely in the interest of farmers and agriculture.
* The government enters into trade negotiations only after carefully safeguarding the interests of Indian farmers and ensuring adequate safeguards in Trade Agreements.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Farmers are directly impacted by the government's response to their demands and concerns. They are affected by government policies on subsidies, MSP, and direct income support.
* **Action Required:** Farmers should engage in dialogue with the government to address their concerns and work together to find solutions that benefit both parties.
**State Governments and Union Territory Administrations**
* **Impact:** These entities bear the primary responsibility for maintaining law and order, preventing and investigating crimes, and prosecuting criminals.
* **Action Required:** State Governments and Union Territory Administrations should focus on preventing, detecting, registering, and investigating crimes, including those under the UAPA, and prosecuting the criminals.
**Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister**
* **Impact:** The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister is responsible for conducting discussion with the farmers, and addressing their issues.
* **Action Required:** The Minister should continue to engage in sustained dialogue with farmers' organizations to ensure that their concerns are addressed and resolved.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The primary ministry responding to farmers' demands and related issues.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA): Law referenced in the context of alleged misuse against activists and farmers.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM): Farmer organization involved in discussions with the government.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM): Farmer organization involved in discussions with the government.
Farm Laws: Refers to the repealed laws that prompted discussions with farmer organizations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 577
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3RD FEBRUARY, 2026
FARMERS DEMANDS
577. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government, in view of, the kisan wing warning of nationwide resistance
larger than the 2020-21 farmers’ movement is proceeding in a confrontational manner instead
of transparent dialogue, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) the response of the Government to the resolution demanding the immediate release of
activist Sonam Wangchuk and others who have been incarcerated for over five years without
trial, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) the Government has ignored repeated demands for repeal or review of the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act, despite widespread allegations of misuse against activists, farmers
and dissenters, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) how does the Government respond to allegations that national policy decisions,
including trade agreements, are being shaped under pressure from US imperial interests &
corporate lobbies rather than Indian farmers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons
therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं(cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): Issues relating to farmers are addressed proactively, expeditiously and amicably by the
Government to ensure their socio-economic well-being. After the repeal of the three Farm Laws
in 2021, the Government held seven rounds of discussions in two phases with Samyukta Kisan
Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) at the level of Union Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare Minister. First discussion was held on 8th February, 2024. Subsequently, discussions
were held on 12th, 15th, 18th February 2024, 14th, 22nd February, 2025 & 19th March, 2025.
Through sustained dialogue, most of the issues raised by the farmers’ organisations have been
resolved.
(b) & (c): As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are
State subjects and, therefore, the primary responsibility to prevent, detect, register and
investigation crime including those under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)
and prosecute the criminals, primarily lies with the State Governments and Union Territory
Administrations.
(d): Government is committed to the socio-economic development of farmers and protection
of their interests. All national policies, including continued higher subsidy on fertilizers, record
procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP), direct income support of ₹6,000 per year to
farmers under DBT etc. are formulated solely in the interest of farmers and agriculture, without
any external influence. Government enters into trade negotiations only after carefully
safeguarding the interests of Indian farmers and adequate safeguards for farmers are provided
in the Trade Agreements.
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