As the farmers’ protest entered its seventh day, the government on Wednesday reiterated its intention to address concerns raised by agricultural union leaders, representing protesting farmers from Punjab and Haryana, on December 3 in Vigyan Bhawan.
“I appeal to farmers that the laws are of interest to them and the reforms have been made after a long wait, but if they have any objections then we are ready to address their concerns,” said the Union agriculture minister , Narendra Singh Tomar. One day before the second round of talks with farmers is scheduled to take place in the national capital.
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Tomar also said that they will see to what extent the problems can be resolved as they hold talks with farmer leaders tomorrow. The government led by the ruling Bharatiya Janata party has found itself in a narrow stalemate with angry farmers opposing the three farm laws passed by Parliament in September this year. Farmers have claimed that these laws will reduce their profits in the market and give more power to corporations.
The farmers, hailing from Punjab and Haryana, in their “Delhi Chalo” march had demanded that the ruling dispensation agree to listen to their objections to the passage of farm laws, which together have paved the way for farm businesses to freely trade produce. Unrestricted agricultural private traders to store large quantities of essential products for future sales and establish new rules for contract farming.
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After days of protests along the Delhi border and within the national capital, the government on Monday began talks with representatives of the leaders of agricultural union organizations, but the dialogue remained inconclusive, without any sign of resolution.
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