TAD NewsDesk, New Delhi: The meeting held by the Union ministry with the farmers remained inconclusive. No resolution was sought to farmer’s grievances. Next round of talk has been proposed on the 5th of December, 2020.
The representatives from various farm organization who attended the talk with the Union leaders stayed resolute in their demand to repeal the new farm laws. They refused any kind of meal provided by the government, tea, lunch or water and instead had their own langar from the van which came from the Singhu border.
The meeting went on for around eight long hours between the farmers and Besides Tomar, the government side included Railways, Food and Consumer Affairs, and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, who is also an MP from Punjab.
Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar who led the discussion from the government side said
“The meeting was held in a good atmosphere. Some points have emerged on which farmers have concerns.”
Moreover, he added
“We have always said that we are with farmers. We will hold discussions on how to make the APMC stronger. Private mandis act similar to APMC mandis, we will also consider that.”
Mr Tomar also said that they are even ready to listen and address the issue of SDM courts too. And along with the Air Ordinance and Power Pact.
He reassured on the issue of the MSP saying, “MSP will not be touched.”
Some union leaders have threatened to boycott the next meeting, if no solution is sought from today’s discussion.
Pratibha Shinde, AIKSCC (All India Kishan Sangharsh Coordination Committee) working group member and president of Lok Sangharsh Morcha, which represents farmers of Maharashtra and Gujarat said,
“Discussions are over from our side. Our leaders have said they will not attend further meetings if a solution is not given today by the government.”
Another farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu said the government made many proposals including on MSP and procurement system, which would be discussed among the farmer organisations on Friday, before the next meeting with the government on Saturday.
Mr Sandhu added,
“We do not want any amendment. We want the Acts to be repealed.”
AIKSCC General Secretary Hannan Mollah said that the farm organizations would meet on Friday at 11 am to decide about the next course of action to take on Saturday in the next round of discussion.
Throughout the meeting, the government emphasised the importance of the laws and its impact on bringing the greater good.
On Wednesday, the farmers had demanded to hold a special session of the Parliament and repeal the three laws which the government denied.
Mr Tomar said,
“There is no ego involved on the government’s side and we have been discussing each and every issue with the farmer unions with an open mind.”
The farmers from different states of the country reached Delhi to protest against the three farm laws on 25th of November, 2020. They are staying put in the borders of Delhi till any resolution is sought on the issue. The next round of talks on December 5 will be very significant for each agitating farmer protesting against these Centre Farm laws.
Source: Outlook
