New Delhi: The government Tuesday offered to set up a committee to look into issues raised by farmers protesting against new farm laws. However, it was rejected by representatives of 35 agitating organisations during their marathon meeting with three Union Ministers that ended without any resolution. The meeting remained inconclusive and the government has called for another round of discussions Thursday, December 3, union leaders of the farmers’ bodies said.
Sources said the farmer representatives were unanimous in seeking repeal of the three laws. They have termed the laws as being against the interest of the farm community.
The protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the Centre’s farm laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.
The government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture.
At the nearly three-hour-long meeting at Vigyan Bhawan here, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was accompanied by Railways and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, also an MP from Punjab.
Also read: Protesting farmers say they are out for ‘decisive battle’ against agri laws
After the meeting, Bharat Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said it remained inconclusive and the government has called for another meeting on December 3.
“We are ready for a discussion to resolve their issues. Let’s see,” Tomar had told reporters before start of the meeting.
“The farmers’ organisations rejected the government’s proposal to form a five-member committee to look into the issues related to the new farm laws,” Roopsingh Sanha, member of Bharat Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), told this agency. It is one of the largest blocks of farmers who have been protesting against the new laws.
The government side was, however, firm in its stand that a high-level committee must be formed to look into the issues. It wanted the farmer representatives to further consider the proposal.
Sources said the ministers were of the view that it was difficult to reach a decision while interacting with such large groups and therefore they suggested meeting with a smaller group, but the farmer leaders were firm that they would meet collectively only.
Union leaders said they feared the government might be trying to break their unity and the momentum of their protest. Heavy security arrangements were in place around the meeting venue.
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