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Reliance Industries has no plans to enter into ‘contract farming’ business

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) said it is not in the corporate or contract farming market and has no plans to enter this business, the conglomerate led by Mukesh Ambani said in a statement on Monday, clarifying its role in the background of the protest from farmers.

RIL reported that it is lodging a petition at the Punjab and Haryana High Court later in the day, seeking immediate intervention of the government authorities to stop “illegal acts of vandalism by miscreants on Jio tower.”

In the past, Reliance Industries has not carried out any “corporate” or “contract” farming, and have literally no plans to enter this market. RIL said that “Neither RIL nor any of its subsidiaries has acquired any farm land for the purpose of contract farming, directly or indirectly, in Hariyana or Punjab or anywhere else in Country.”

Indian farmers have been protesting against the three farm bills passed in September 2020 by the Government of India, as they believe that they would affect farmers while helping companies such as Reliance Industries. Some of these protesters allegedly destroyed  Jio towers earlier.

Also Read: Centre should not withdraw the laws on agri-reform – Shetkari Sanghatan

For the seventh time later on Monday, the protesting farmers will have discussions with an emphasis on solving this issue.

Reliance India Limited, which considers farmers to be the beneficiaries of the new farm law, also claimed that it does not purchase food grains directly from farmers and that it always adheres to the framework for the minimum support price (MSP) or any other mechanism placed in up by the government to ensure the remunerative price of agricultural products.

RIL’s Reliance Retail arm sells, among other items, food grains, staples, fruits and vegetables. “No food grains are bought directly from producers. To gain unfair advantage over farmers, it has never entered into long-term procurement contracts or tried to purchase from farmers at less than remunerative rates from its suppliers, nor will it ever do so.’

The company blamed the instigation and support of those who vandalised the telecom towers on individuals with vested interests and business rivals. These vested interests have launched an incessant, malicious and motivated vilification campaign against Reliance, which has absolutely no foundation in fact, taking advantage of the ongoing agitation of farmers near the national capital,” the company said.”

The company said that RIL and its affiliates are committed to doing everything it can to enrich and empower farmers, contrary to allegations against it, and strive to establish a strong and equitable relationship with them.

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