Representatives of three farmer groups in Haryana met with the Minister of Agriculture, Narendra Tomar.
New Delhi:
A section of farmers in Haryana has agreed in writing that they want the farm laws to be upheld, but with amendments. Representatives from three groups, claiming to cumulatively represent 120,000 farmers in the state, met with agriculture minister Narendra Tomar tonight, ahead of tomorrow’s farmers’ strike across India and the sixth meeting between farmers and the Center on Wednesday. .
A letter signed by the three organizations said: “These bills should continue as suggested by farmers ‘organizations. We are in favor of the MSP and mandi (specialized market) system as suggested by farmers’ organizations. But we ask that you continue these. laws with suggested amendments “.
At the last meeting with the government on Saturday, farmers’ representatives rejected the offer to amend the three farm laws, claiming they would accept nothing more than scrapping them.
Thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been camping on the Delhi borders for more than 10 days in the bitter cold, having arrived there braving tear gas, water cannons, police batons and barricades. During this period, three farmers have died.
Farmers, however, have argued that they would not capitulate to their demands. Many said they were prepared for a long road and that they would not return home until they achieved their goal.
Dharmendra Arya, a member of a Jhajjar-based FPO, who met with Mr. Tomar today, said: “Laws put forward by the government should not be withdrawn, but amendments should be made as also demanded by the agricultural unions … new farmers to sell their products on the open market. “
“Currently, protesting farmers face harassment from commission agents. The Center buys wheat and rice from farmers in Punjab and Haryana at the MSP, but for a limited period each season. If the markets open, we can sell others. crops through Internet merchants. We also demand that the government make sure that the crops are sold in MSP, “he added.
Reacting to the FPO farmers’ move, Gurnam Chadhuni, head of the Bharatiya Kisan Union of Haryana, said: “This is a government ruse to confuse ordinary farmers.”
FPOs or farmer and producer organizations are organizations created by the government, he said. Farm laws do not affect MROs and farmers are “under pressure from the government,” he said. “There were plans from the beginning and this is just a show,” he added.
Accepting an amended version of the farm laws will save the face of the government, which has been under intense pressure on the laws since the protest began in September.
No resolution to the deadlock is in sight despite five rounds of meetings with farmers and a series of internal government meetings, in which Union Interior Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated. A new proposal from the Center is expected during Wednesday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, the all-India strike scheduled for tomorrow has garnered strong support, not only from opposition parties, but also from trade and transport unions and many other organizations. Farmers who have gathered at the Delhi borders said they would stop entry into the national capital and only allow emergency services through.
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