New Delhi: The government and farm unions reached some common ground Wednesday to resolve protesting farmers’ concerns over rise in power tariff and penalties for stubble burning. However, the two sides remained deadlocked over the main contentious issues of the repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee for MSP.
The meeting lasted for nearly five hours between the farmer union leaders and the government’s representative. Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar said that at least 50 per cent resolution has been reached with two out of four items on the agenda. Discussions would continue on the remaining two on January 4, Tomar stated.
“Discussions on the three farm laws and MSP are continuing and will continue in the next round of talks on January 4,” Tomar told reporters after the meeting ended.
He said talks were held in a cordial atmosphere. The two sides reached an agreement on two issues. The first one is related to the proposed electricity law and the other about an ordinance on penal provisions for stubble burning.
Tomar lauded the unions for maintaining peace and discipline during their protest. However, he urged them to send the elderly, women and children back to their homes due to the extreme cold weather.
Tomar said the union leaders kept insisting on repeal of the three farm laws. However, the government side tried to explain to them the benefits of the Acts. He informed the government sought to know specific problems faced by the farmers.
Tomar was asked about the farmers’ demand for a legal guarantee for procurement at minimum support price (MSP). The minister said the government has already said that it is ready to give a written assurance. “Talks will continue on these two issues,” Tomar informed.
After the meeting, Union leader Kalwant Singh Sandhu said Wednesday’s talks mostly focussed on electricity and stubble burning. The next meeting January 4 would focus on the MSP guarantee and the three farm laws.
Tomar was accompanied by Food and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash at the meeting.
