The Union government’s relentless attempts to resolve the farmers ‘unrest through dialogue are making little progress and few of the farmers’ unions are standing firm in their demand to repeal the new farm laws.
While farmers expect the government to send out the new draft with amendments before they reach the next round of meetings on December 9, government sources said the draft will be discussed only at the discussion table.
“It makes no sense to send a draft before they come to discuss. They are welcome to come and discuss and debate the amendments they want in the laws ”, added the source.
The farmers had claimed that once the government sends them the draft, they will first discuss it among themselves before attending the meeting.
The government, in an attempt to advance the discussions, agreed to “as many amendments” as the farmers demanded. “Farmers seemed divided and few were convinced of the laws and the government’s intention to amend their suggestions, while there were a handful of those who stood firm on repealing the farm laws,” added a source.
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The sources claimed that the farmers came up with a list of demands not only demanding amendments but also amenities that they hope the government will provide to facilitate their protest and agitation.
“They want microphones, streetlights, sanitation and other things to be able to communicate with others effectively,” added the source.
To appease the agitated farmers, the ministers pledged to make amendments presented as demands. “To this, one of the leaders joked that so many amendments would be like changing all the candy inside the box and at the same time keeping the box. So why not change the box, ”said the source.
The fifth round of talks was inconclusive and the government and farmers agreed to draft a new set of amendments to existing farm laws.
Hundreds of farmers have been protesting on different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three recently enacted agricultural laws: the Trade in Agricultural Products and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Act of 2020, the Price Agreement for Farmers ( Empowerment and Protection) Agricultural Warranty and Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.
Farmer leaders have held several rounds of talks with the government, but all of them have so far been inconclusive. After the fifth round of talks, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has called another meeting on December 9.
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