Vibha sharma
Tribune news service
New Delhi, December 1
The long-awaited third round of talks between farmer groups, including 32 from Punjab, and Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash ended today inconclusively with farmer leaders who rejected the Center’s proposal. to form a five-member committee to investigate your grievances.
The unions told the government that “such panels had not produced the desired results in the past” and “that the time of the committees was over as now they only wanted concrete action.”
Dialog the exit
It was proposed to form a committee, but the unions suggested they will attend more rounds of discussions to resolve the matter amicably. NS Tomar, Minister of Agriculture
A government statement said Agriculture Minister Tomar had proposed the creation of a committee of experts “to study the problems of farmers in order to solve them with mutual consent.” “The union representatives said they will attend the new round of discussions with the government to resolve the matter amicably,” the statement said.
Various issues related to “farm laws were discussed in a cordial atmosphere,” officials said. However, unions in Punjab said they turned down the tea offer during the talks and instead asked ministers to join them in ‘kheer’ and ‘langar’ on the border. “We just want the black laws repealed,” they told Tomar, who asked farmer leaders to “identify specific issues related to the land reform laws and share them with the government for consideration.” These issues will be discussed during the fourth round of meetings to be held on December 3. “The Government of India is always committed to protecting the interests of farmers and is always open to discussions for their welfare,” Tomar said.
After the three-hour meeting, farmer leaders said the turmoil on Delhi’s borders would continue. Representatives from UP and other states are also demanding a level playing field in consultations.
Union leaders stated that Tomar told them that “the bylaws could have deficiencies and that the government is willing to examine the objections and deficiencies pointed out by the unions and will consider changing them.”
While farmers are willing to settle for nothing more than a complete rollback of five laws (the three “black” laws, the recently enacted ordinance on air quality management in Delhi-NCR, and the 2020 electricity bill ), the government is also firm in its position. Peasant leaders say the laws are “more than 90% wrong.” “If the government wants new laws, it will first have to consult the farmers. They are like a death sentence for farmers and we will not allow businesses in Punjab. “
Trudeau speaks in support, MEA responds
New Delhi: The MEA has called “unwarranted” and “misinformed” comments by Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, about the farmers’ uproar during a virtual interaction to brand Gurpurb. “The situation is worrying and we are all very concerned for family and friends and I know it is a reality for many of you. Let me remind you that Canada will always be there to defend the right to peaceful protest, ”he said. TNS
Open hearts, not just doors, says Congress
New Delhi: The chief congressional spokesman, Randeep Surjewala, said the government should suspend the three agricultural laws or announce a legal guarantee for the MSP regime. “Please talk to all the farmer teams … Opening the doors is not enough, open your hearts as well,” he said. TNS
Athletes to return awards
Chandigarh: Several former athletes, including Padma Shri fighter Kartar Singh and Arjuna winners Sajjan Singh Cheema (basketball) and Rajbir Kaur (hockey), have decided to return their awards to protest the use of “brute force” in the farmers en route to Delhi. PTI
- Shaheen Bagh’s Bilkis Dadi walked away from the Singhu border
- Bhim’s army chief joins farmers on the Delhi-Ghazipur border
