New Delhi:
Representatives of farmers’ organizations who are having a crucial meeting with the government today refused to share bread with the three participating Union ministers. At the lunch break, the farmers said “no” to the food offered by the government and stuck to the langar, which was brought by a waiting van.
Images from inside Vigyan Bhawan, where the meeting is taking place, showed farmers’ representatives gathered at a long table for a hasty lunch. Some sat on the floor in a quiet corner.
“They offered us food, we refused and we are having our langar, which we have brought,” said a peasant leader. “We do not accept the food or tea that the government offers,” said another peasant leader.
The farmers, who have been waiting for eight days at the borders of the national capital, made a presentation in the first half of the meeting. In it, they had focused on the shortcomings of the law and why they are apprehensive about it, the sources said.
The second half of the meeting will focus on the government’s version, where Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal and junior minister Som Parkash are expected to speak.
By demanding a special session of parliament to make the laws a reality, farmers have said this was the “last chance” for the government.
Sources have said that the government is firm in backing the laws. But they are considering other possibilities that would help farmers participate. These could include a written guarantee on the continuity of the Minimum Sustenance Price, the biggest concern of farmers.
The sources said the government is also considering farmers’ demand to go to court in case of a dispute over contract farming. Under current rules, such a dispute can only be resolved by the Subdivisional Magistrate.
Farmers, however, insist that “nothing less than repealing the three farm laws” will suffice. The simple legalization of the Minimum Price of Livelihood “will not fulfill the purpose”, said the representatives of the farmers.
“We will not leave until the government repeals the three peasant laws. We will give our demands again,” they added.
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