Farmers have rejected government proposals offering amendments to farm laws.
New Delhi:
The government’s negotiations with farmers over controversial farm laws “will not work and will surely fail again,” the Supreme Court said today, proposing a panel that includes representatives from the center and farmers’ associations from across the country.
“This will soon become a national problem and will have to be resolved through negotiations,” said Bobde, Chief Justice of India, as the high court listened to petitions about farmers’ protests.
The government told the court that it will do nothing against farmers, adding that the dialogue will be based on “clause by clause.”
“Different ministers spoke to them. But they turned their chairs back and did not speak to them,” said the government attorney.
Five meetings have been held between protesting farmers and the government. Union Interior Minister Amit Shah also met with farmers.
So far, farmers have rejected the government’s offer to make amendments to the three new laws enacted in September. They want the laws to be eliminated entirely and say that mere guarantees about the MSP are not enough.
Thousands of farmers have been camping on the outskirts of Delhi since late November demanding that the government repeal laws they say will eventually dismantle the country’s regulated markets and leave them at the mercy of private buyers.
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