The meeting is also expected to finalize a response to the letter from the Union Ministry of Agriculture, sent to 40 farmers’ unions late Sunday night. The ministry had urged the unions to set a new date for the talks at their convenience, while requesting specific details of the objections raised by stakeholders against the farm laws.
Hannan Mollah, a former Lok Sabha MP and a member of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, told TOI that there would be no point in starting new talks unless the Center put “repeal of agricultural laws” on the agenda. However, he said all 40 unions would make a decision, including 32 of Punjab. “The letter from the ministry is an attempt to divert attention from the key farmers’ demand to withdraw the laws. Other issues can be discussed only after the repeal of the agricultural laws, ”said Mollah. He had attended previous rounds of talks with the Minister of Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar, as well as the Minister of the Interior. Amit shah December 8th.
On December 9, the Center had sent a draft proposal to farmers’ unions for certain amendments to farm laws, while identifying eight key issues. The unions, however, rejected these proposals and insisted on the repeal of the laws.
Farmers’ unions are known to have consulted prominent lawyers to confirm their response to the Supreme Court, which last week suggested the creation of a committee to find a solution.
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