[ad_1]
NEW DELHI: The Indian government and protesting farmers were unable to break out of their stalemate in talks on Saturday, with farmers saying they will intensify their demonstrations against new farm laws and continue to block key roads on the outskirts of the capital.
The protest leaders rejected the government’s offer to amend some controversial provisions of the new agricultural laws, which deregulate crop prices, and adhered to the demand for a total repeal.
The two sides will meet for further discussions on Wednesday.
Thousands of farmers are protesting against reforms that they say could devastate crop prices and reduce their profits. They have blocked roads on the outskirts of New Delhi for the past 10 days.
Farmers say the laws will lead the government to stop buying grain at guaranteed minimum prices and will result in exploitation by corporations that will drive down prices.
The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi insists the reforms will benefit farmers. He says they will allow farmers to market their products and boost production through private investment. But the farmers say they were never consulted.
Saturday’s talks between Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and 35 farmer leaders were the fifth since the laws were passed in September.
Midway through the talks, peasant leaders held banners asking the government to answer “yes” or “no” to their demand to repeal the new agricultural laws.
Farmers are camping along at least five main roads on the outskirts of the capital and have said they will not leave until the government repeals what they call the “black laws.”
Farmers protesting Saturday also announced a nationwide strike for Tuesday. They said they would intensify their agitation and occupy toll plazas across the country on the day of the strike if the government did not abolish the laws.
Farmers have been protesting the laws for almost two months in the states of Punjab and Haryana. The situation escalated last week when tens of thousands marched to New Delhi, where they clashed with the police.
The laws add to already existing resentment from farmers, who often complain of being ignored by the government in its push for better crop prices, additional loan exemptions and irrigation systems to guarantee water during dry spells. .
With nearly 60% of the Indian population depending on agriculture for their livelihood, the growing rebellion by farmers has shaken the Modi administration and allies.
Modi and his leaders have also tried to allay farmers’ fears about the new laws and have also dismissed their concerns. Some of his party leaders have called the farmers “misguided” and “anti-national”, a label often given to those who criticize Modi or his policies.
Many opposition party leaders, activists and even some allies of Modi’s party have branded the laws against farmers and expressed their support for protesters.
