During the meeting, both sides tried to bring common ground to restore rail services in Punjab, which have been suspended since September 24, when farmers began their “rail roko” agitation against the central laws.
Talks between the government and representatives of the farmers’ unions remained inconclusive on Friday, with both sides declining to compromise on their respective positions but agreed to continue discussions. Farmers’ organizations insisted that new farm laws be repealed and legal backing be provided for the minimum support price (MSP) mechanism. There was also no progress in starting train services to Punjab.
The meeting between 40-50 representatives of farmers ‘unions and three Union ministers (Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash) It lasted almost eight hours, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tomar later admitted to the media that there was a “considerable gap” between what the farmers wanted and the government’s position.
According to sources, farmers’ representatives also raised the issue of “foster mother treatment” towards Punjab, which has been at the forefront of protests against the new laws. All rail services to the state, including freight trains, have been stopped for more than a month, affecting the supply of basic goods.
Representatives were particularly concerned about changes in laws that bypass the existing Agricultural Products Market Committee (APMC) or mandis.
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During the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture made a presentation listing all the measures taken by the government to increase farmers’ income and ensured that there would be no changes in the purchase of agricultural products at MSP. Details about said acquisition were also shared.
The Chairman of the Railway Board Vinod Kumar Yadav, who was present at the meeting, told peasant leaders that people with train tickets to Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir were facing problems. According to sources, the peasant leaders opposed Yadav’s comments, saying they wanted a discussion with politicians and not with officials.
A source said: “It doesn’t seem like we can get the trains running right away, even if we’re ready.”
Sources at the Center said they wanted the Punjab government’s assurance of “unhindered” train movement to resume services, not just the word of farmers. “Neither at the meeting nor before, the state government assured us that train services could resume without interruption,” a senior source from the Ministry of Railways told The Indian Express. However, the Punjab government has said that farmers no longer obstruct the train tracks.
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Speaking to the media after the meeting, Tomar said: “There were conversations for a long time. The talks were fruitful and took place in a cordial atmosphere. Unke jo mudde thhe, a pair sarakaar ke vichaar aur unke muddon mein nishchit roop se kaafi doori thi (Certainly there is a considerable gap between what they want and the government’s position.) However, we said that the talks will continue and we assure you that the new agricultural laws will not affect the MSP or the APMC. Punjab will continue to have both. “
Tomar added: “This time, the acquisition of kharif crops has been many times greater than before, and much more in Punjab. Therefore, there is no need to have doubts and mistrust ”.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture said that farmers’ representatives were briefed on “reforms carried out in the agricultural sector to empower farmers”, including measures under AatmaNirbhar Bharat, and said agriculture was “the top priority for the Government of India to boost the rural economy. ”The statement said:“ The new agricultural laws would not only give farmers freedom of choice to sell their products at remunerative prices, but would also protect the interests of farmers.
Rail services in Punjab have been suspended since September 24, and railways cite “rail roko” agitations against agricultural laws. The Railways have also not refused to restart freight trains, saying they would operate freight and passenger trains or none at all.
The Union’s Food Secretary, who has an additional post from the Ministry of Agriculture, invited farmers’ organizations to a meeting with Tomar and Goyal on November 10.
A meeting last month by Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal with them ended on a stormy note with farmer leaders leaving, demanding the presence of Tomar.
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