Farmer’s protest against agricultural laws continued today for the 51st consecutive day. Meanwhile, to end the deadlock, a meeting was held between the government and farmer organizations in New Delhi. This meeting of the 9th round was also inconclusive. Now there will be a discussion on 19 January.
During the meeting, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar appealed to the farmer’s leaders to bring flexibility in their stance. Explain that the protesting farmers are demanding the withdrawal of three new agricultural laws from the central government. At the same time, the government is talking about amending the law.
After the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the 9th round of talks with the farmers union took place. All three laws were discussed. The Essential Commodities Act was discussed in detail. Attempts were made to address their doubts. The union and the government decided that there would be discussed again on January 19 at noon.
Tomar said, “The government suggested to form an informal group of farmer unions to finalize concrete proposals so that these proposals can be discussed informal talks”.
He further said that we are fully committed to the orders of the Supreme Court and welcome his decision. The government, when invited, will present its case before a committee appointed by the court.
Tomar said that the farmer’s unions want to continue the dialogue with the government and we have no problem with this. The committee appointed by the Supreme Court will also work for the welfare of farmers.
The Indian Farmers Union spokesman said after talking to the government, “We will talk to the government only. We only have two demands one is to take back 3 Agriculture laws and discuss on MSP. We will not go to the committee of the court, we will talk to the government itself. ”Another leader said that no solution was found, neither on agricultural laws nor on MSP. Will meet again on 19 January.
Before the lunch break during the meeting, Food Minister Piyush Goyal responded to the farmers’ questions on the changes made in the Essential Commodities Act. Some farmer leaders did not want to hear Piyush Goyal’s answer as he said that there can be no dialogue except withdrawal of the law. However, some other farmers were in favour of listening to the talks of the government.
On January 12, the Supreme Court had stayed the implementation of three new agricultural laws. Also, the court constituted a four-member committee.
These include the president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Bhupinder Singh Mann, the president of the Shetkari organization Maharashtra, Anil Ghanwat, Pramod Kumar Joshi of the International Food Policy Research Institute and agricultural economist, Ashok Gulati. Bhupinder Singh Mann on Thursday distanced himself from the committee.
In the sixth round of talks between the farmers’ organizations and the Center on December 30, two demands were agreed to exclude stubble burning and to continue subsidy on electricity.
