Center-Farmer talks: Next round on Wednesday, December 9

Image Courtesy:indiatoday.in

Yet another day of talks between the Farmers protesting the new farm laws and the Union government remained inconclusive on Saturday. The farmer unions have now agreed to a sixth round of talks with the government on December 9, Wednesday. Saturday’s meeting ended by evening but yielded no breakthrough on the key issue:The repeal of the three farm laws. Farmers have always stated so far that they will settle for nothing less.

According to news reported by NDTV, the decision to hold another round of talks was taken shortly after irate farmers’ representative’s went on a silent protest, holding up placards that said “Yes Or No”. Earlier they also threatened to walk out of what they called “meaningless” talks, stated the report. After the meeting Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said a new proposal would be placed before the farmers after discussions within the government.

We said at the beginning of meeting that our demand is withdrawal of laws, don’t want amendment. We took a firm stand. Finally we were told that next meeting will be held on Dec 9. It seems govt will definitely roll back the laws: Hannan Mollah, General Secy,All India Kisan Sabha pic.twitter.com/vNCJCagTJj
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2020

The ministers present at the talks on Saturday had held a high-level meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior cabinet ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah before they met the farmer leaders. The centre has reportedly offered to amend some sections of the Laws that have triggered the biggest farmers’ agitation in recent years, with thousands camped around Delhi for over a week. However the farmers want the Laws to be rolled back.

The meeting has been scheduled for 9th December. #FarmersProtests https://t.co/xF4atvig4S
— Amaan (@amaanbali) December 5, 2020

According to news reports Saturday’s talks were led by Ministers Narendra Tomar and Piyush Goyal, who submitted a written proposal to the farmers. It was reported that Harsulinder Singh (from the Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee) said the farmers “want withdrawal of the laws… won’t accept offer to amend.”

According to information shared by a freelance journalist, Tomar asked that the eldery and children be persuaded to leave the protest site.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar requested farmer leaders to tell senior citizens and children to leave protest site and go back to home.
— Sensitive Singh (@PunYaab) December 5, 2020

The minister also verbally told the media that the MSP will continue as is.

We have said that the MSP will continue, there is no threat to it. It is baseless to doubt this. Still, if someone is suspicious then the government is ready to resolve it: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar #FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/MLIQ7bLwUQ
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2020