As thousands of farmers continue to protest at various borders of the national capital demanding the repeal of three new farm laws, the government on Wednesday proposed to give a "written assurance" that the existing minimum support price (MSP) regime for procurement will continue.

However, the farmers' unions rejected the proposal and said they would intensify their agitation until the government accepts their demand for a complete repeal of the three laws.

They said they would block the Jaipur-Delhi and the Delhi-Agra expressways on or before December 12, and all roads entering into the national capital, one-by-one, if their demands were not met.

The government also proposed to make necessary amendments on at least seven issues, including one to allay fears about the weakening of the mandi system.

In a draft proposal sent to 13 agitating farmer unions, the government also said it is ready to provide all necessary clarifications on their concerns about the new farm laws enacted in September, but it did not mention anything about the main demand of protesting farmers for the repeal of the laws.

At a press conference later in the day, farmer leaders said there was nothing new in the government proposal and they would continue their protest.

“The proposals sent by Union Home Minister Amit Shah contained the same things as Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told farmer leaders in previous meetings,” said farmer leader Darshan Pal.

Separately, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said at a post-Cabinet media briefing that the government was sensitive to the concerns of farmers as he expressed hope that ongoing deliberations with them, which he termed a "work in progress", over the three agriculture-related laws would yield some results soon.

He said the government has held several rounds of talks with the farmers agitating against the three legislations and is keen to resolve their issues

A representative of a farmers' union at the Singhu border holds up a copy of the government's draft proposal sent to them on Wednesday. PTI

In the proposal, sent by agriculture ministry joint secretary Vivek Aggarwal, the government said it was ready to consider with an open heart the issues which farmers have on the new laws.

“The government has tried to address the concerns of farmers with an open heart and with respect for the farming community of the country. The government appeals to the Kisan unions to end their agitation,” the draft proposal said.

On farmers' concern that mandis would weaken after the enactment of the new laws, the government said an amendment can be made wherein state governments can register the traders operating outside mandis. States can also impose tax and cess as they used in APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandis on them.

On concerns that farmers may be duped as anyone having just a PAN card was allowed to trade outside APMC mandis, the government said to rule out such apprehensions, the state governments can be given the power to register such traders and make rules keeping in mind the local situation of farmers.

On the issue of farmers not getting the right to appeal in civil courts for dispute resolution, the government said it was open to making an amendment to provide for an appeal in civil courts. Currently, the dispute resolution is at the SDM level.

On fears that big corporates will take over farmlands, the government said it had already been made clear in the laws, but still, for clarity's sake, it can be written that no buyer can take loans against farmland nor any such condition will be made to farmers.

On attaching farmland under contract farming, the government said the existing provision is clear but still it can be clarified further if required.

On fear about the scrapping of the MSP regime and shifting of trade to private players, the government said it was ready to give a written assurance that the existing MSP will continue.

On demands to scrap the proposed Electricity Amendment bill 2020, the government said there won't be any change in the existing system of electricity bill payment for farmers.

On farmers' demand to scrap the Air Quality Management of NCR Ordinance 2020, under which there is the provision of penalty for stubble burning, the government said it was ready to find an appropriate solution.

On Constitutional validity of farm laws, the Centre said it had the power under Entry 33 of the Concurrent List to pass laws on contract farming and intra- and inter-state trade, and prohibit states from imposing fees/cess outside APMC areas.

Farmer leaders address the media after their meeting at the Singhu border on Wednesday. PTI

It had followed legal provisions while enacting the laws and earlier for bringing ordinances, it added.

The draft proposal was received by 13 agitating agricultural union leaders, including Joginder Singh Urgrahan of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), whose party is one of the biggest among the 10 farm bodies. “Farmer unions have received the draft proposal from the government,” Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait told PTI.

Home minister Amit Shah, at Tuesday night's meeting with 13 union leaders, had said the government would send a draft proposal on key issues raised by the farmers regarding the three farm laws, even though the meeting had failed to break the ice with farm union leaders who are insisting on repealing these laws.

Wednesday's scheduled meeting between the protesting farmer unions and the government interlocutors also stood cancelled.