Farmers’ protest: Government-farmers talks remain inconclusive; farm unions to continue agitation
The eleventh round of talks between the Central government and farmers' representatives over the contentious agricultural laws has ended and has again remained inconclusive.
FollowNew Delhi: In their 11th meeting over the three contentious farm laws, the farmer unions Friday told the government they want a complete repeal of the legislations while the Centre asked them to reconsider its proposal for putting the Acts on hold for 12-18 months.
The eleventh round of meetings between farmer unions and the government over the three farm laws has ended without reaching a consensus again.
Surjeet Singh Phul, State President of BKU Krantikari (Punjab) said that no date for the next meeting has been fixed by the government. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has told farmer unions that the government is ready for another meeting if farmers are willing to discuss the proposal of suspending the laws.
“We told the government that we will not agree to anything other than the repeal of the laws. But the minister asked us to discuss separately again and rethink on the matter and convey the decision,” farmer leader Darshan Pal told PTI during a break after the first session of their meet.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash were holding the talks with the representatives of 41 farmer unions at the Vigyan Bhawan here.
Tomar on Friday told farmer unions that the government is ready for another meeting if farmers want to discuss the proposal on suspending laws. "We gave a proposal to farmers and if they have a better proposal then they can come to us," the government said as per PTI.
Tomar thanked unions for cooperation and said, "There are no problems with laws, but the government offered to suspend them as respect for farmers." The government told unions that all possible options are given and they must discuss internally the proposal of suspending laws.
Farmer leaders said that the meeting may have lasted for nearly five hours, but two sides sat face to face for less than 30 minutes today.
During their previous meeting on Thursday, farmer unions rejected the Centre’s proposal to keep the laws in abeyance for 18 months, and reiterated their demand for repeal of the laws. Farmers group had said they will continue the protest and also hold the tractor rally on January 26, Republic Day.
