New Delhi, December 31
The lunch diplomacy of the Minister of Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar, and the Minister of Railways, Piyush Goyal, has played a key role in shaping a positive development following the sixth round of talks between the government and representatives of the organizations of farmers.
Unlike the previous five meetings that ended on an unfinished note, the sixth round of talks held here in Vigyan Bhawan on Wednesday saw the government and farmers on the same page on two of the four key issues.
Because of the way Wednesday’s meeting between farmers and the government happened, the chances of solving the farmers’ movement have increased.
Peasant leaders also hope that the way the government agreed on Wednesday demands such as keeping farmers out of the scope of burning stubble and continuing the electricity subsidy, in the same way, the January 4 meeting it will also be positive.
The agenda for the January 4th meeting has been set.
This meeting will be held on two topics such as the three agricultural laws and the guarantee of the MSP.
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During the lunch break in Vigyan Bhawan on Wednesday at 2.30pm, two hours after the sixth meeting of the round, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State, Som Prakash, approached the agricultural leaders as they were preparing to eat the ‘langar’ food.
Since the last two meetings, farmer leaders have been eating langar food instead of government-provided food during lunch breaks.
Agriculture Minister Tomar, addressing a farmer leader, said: “O Paa ji … are you eating alone?” Responding to this, the peasant leader said, “No … no sir … let’s fix some food dishes for you.” Soon, the three ministers of Narendra Modi’s government also took a plate in their hands and began to queue to eat the food in langar.
According to sources, the ice mainly broke during the lunch break. What could not be seen happening during the officers’ presentation at the Vigyan Bhawan meeting happened during an informal conversation between the ministers and the peasant leaders.
Having lunch with the ministers and then having tea together also sent a positive message among the farmer leaders.
Tomar also agreed to continue the energy subsidy, along with the withdrawal of provisions for action against farmers for burning stubble in the ordinance promulgated to prevent air pollution in Delhi-NCR during lunch and snack time.
At the same time, he tried to find a middle way by asking farmer leaders to form a committee on MSP and the three farm laws. According to sources, this softening in the government’s attitude was appreciated by the peasant leaders, so the representatives, after resolving the issues related to stubble and electricity, willingly approved to attend the January 4 meeting on Agrarian Law and MSP.
What did the farmer leaders say?
Farmer leader Shivkumar Kakka told IANS: “Today’s meeting addressed a total of four issues, of which the government accepted two demands from farmers. Now the agricultural laws and the MSP will be discussed further.” Rakesh Tikait, national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), told IANS that the conversation took place in a positive atmosphere.
Harpal Singh Bellary of the BKU told IANS: “The government agreed to issue the order, agreeing on two issues related to electricity and stubble. Repeal of the three laws and the MSP guarantee could not be done yet. Now these two topics will be discussed at the January 4th meeting. ” – IANS
