India’s farmers and the central government failed to reach a consensus yet again as late-night talks between 13 farmers’ leaders and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 8, 2020 proved inconclusive.
According to All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) General Secretary Hannan Mollah, Shah asked farmers to accept the proposed amendments assuring that the government will make necessary changes that farmers request.
However, the delegation reiterated their demand for repeal of the three agriculture laws, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act and the Electricity Bill 2020.
Similarly, Mollah told reporters that farmers will not attend the meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on December 9 at Vigyan Bhavan. The Agriculture Minister was present during the Tuesday talks as well where farmers were shown a presentation on the Bills.
The central government will send a written proposal to farmers at 11 AM on Wednesday. Following this, farmers have also planned their own meeting on Wednesday afternoon to plan further actions.
Farmers leaders, Hannan Mollah, Rakesh Tikait, Gurunam Chadhuni, Shivkumar Kakka, Balbir Singh, Jagjit Singh, Ruldusingh Mansa, Manjeet Singh Rai, Butta Singh Burujagil, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Darshan Pal, Kulwant Singh Sandhu and Bhogsingh Mansa attended the meeting with Shah, that went on till late night.
The Union Minister called for the meeting following nationwide protests by farmers decrying the three anti-farmer-dubbed Acts.
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