Farmers’ Meet With Centre Concludes, Next Round of Talks on 5 Dec
Catch all the live updates of the farmers’ “Dilli Chalo” protests here.
Farmer leaders’ meeting with the central government has concluded, reported ANI. Next meeting will be held on 5 December.
Farmer leaders, in the third round of talks with the Centre, reportedly asked the government to call a special session of Parliament and abolish the farm laws. They also reportedly refused to eat the food offered by the government, and brought their own lunch in stead.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal were present at the meeting on behalf of the Centre.
Meanwhile, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, saying that he had reiterated his opposition to the laws and asked him to resolve the issue.
- Farmers continued their protest on Thursday at Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari, the government-designated place for the protest
- Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh said on Thursday that he was hoping for a positive outcome from the talks
- Transporters have threatened to stop operations in north India from 8 December in support of protesting farmers
- One carriageway of the Chilla Border from Delhi to Noida has been opened for traffic. However, the other carriageway from Noida to Delhi is still closed
- Former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal has returned his Padma Vibhushan to protest ‘the betrayal of the farmers by the Government of India’
Traffic in Delhi-NCR Remains Badly Hit
As the farmers protest entered its seventh day on Wednesday with no agreement with the government yet, traffic in Delhi-NCR was badly hit as the agitating farmers continued to block several borders like Singhu and Tikri towards Haryana and Chilla and Gazipur towards Uttar Pradesh, affecting movement of commuters as many were struck in the resultant traffic snarls.
As the stalemate continues, any immediate relief is far from sight.
Farmers Demand Special Parliament Session
Farmers on Wednesday demanded that the Centre convene a special Parliament session to repeal the three contentious farm laws, reported PTI.
Transporters Threaten to Stop Operations in North India From 8 December
Transporters apex body AIMTC on Wednesday threatened to halt operations in north India from 8 December, if the government fails to address farmers’ concern.
Government Ready to Listen, Discuss, Solve Problems: Tomar
Agriculture Minister Tomar, who has been leading the talks with the farmers, has urged them to call off the protest, saying the government is ready to “listen, discuss and solve their problems.”
“Representatives of the farmer unions are going to participate in the meeting and will discuss their points. The government will place its views on the points, and they will present their views. Let us see how much of the issue can be resolved,” Tomar told reporters on Wednesday.
Farmer Protests Continue, Delhi Borders Closed Off
The Chilla border on Noida link road remained closed on Thursday for traffic movement amid farmers protests near Gautam Budh Dwar.
Tikri border, Jharoda border and Jhatikra border are also closed for any traffic movement, as are Lampur, Auchandi and other small borders. Singhu border remains closed from both sides.
Meanwhile, Badusarai border is open only for two-wheeler traffic
Farmers From Rajasthan Join Protests
A group of farmers from Rajasthan have joined the protest at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border against Centre's farm laws, reports ANI.
"Around 500 farmers from Rajasthan are reaching here soon. PM said many times that MSP will be protected. So, what's the problem in putting it in writing,” a farmer asked, according to ANI.
Khali Joins Farmers Protest at Tikri Border
Former WWE Champion The Great Khali (Dalip Singh Rana) joined the farmers' protest at the Tikri border on Wednesday.
Heavy Security Deployment Continues at Singhu Border
Heavy security deployment continues at Singhu border with Haryana.
Farmer Leaders Depart From Singhu Border for Meet With Govt
Farmers' leaders have departed from the Singhu border for their meeting with the government on farm laws, according to ANI.
"35 leaders are going to meet the government. We are educated farmers, we know what is good for us. We want these laws to be withdrawn,” a farmer said.
Punjab CM Condoles Passing of Farmers in Delhi
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh condoles passing of two farmers at protests in Delhi, announces monetary assistance to families.
One Carriageway of Chilla Border Opened by Traffic Police
One carriageway of the Chilla Border from Delhi to Noida has been opened for traffic. However, the other carriageway from Noida to Delhi is still closed, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Thursday.
Hopeful Roadway Will be Opened Soon: SP Verma
“We are talking to the farmers to end the blockade here as this is a major route to Delhi. We are hopeful that the roadway will be opened soon,”Abhishek Verma, SP City told ANI, at the Ghazipur border.
Farmer Leaders Reach Vigyan Bhawan for Talks With Centre
Farmer leaders arrive at Vigyan Bhawan for their meeting with the government over the farm laws. According to ANI, 40 farmer leaders are present for talks with the government on farm laws.
Hopeful That Talks Will be Productive: Farmer Leader
“We are hopeful that the talks will be productive. If our demands are not met then the farmers will take part in the Republic Day parade held in Delhi,” farmer leader Rakesh Tikat told ANI at Vigyan Bhawan on Thursday.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh Reaches Residence of Amit Shah
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh arrives at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The two leaders were slated to meet ahead of the farmers’ talks with the Centre over the farm laws.
Talks Underway Between Farmers' Leaders and Centre
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal hold talks with farmer leaders at Vigyan Bhawan, reports ANI.
Reiterated Opposition to Laws: Punjab CM After Meeting With Amit Shah
Speaking to the media after his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that he had reiterated his opposition to the laws and asked him to resolve the issue.
“A discussion is going on between farmers and the Centre, there's nothing for me to resolve. I reiterated my opposition in my meeting with Home Minister and requested him to resolve the issue as it affects the economy of my state and security of the nation,” the Punjab CM said, according to ANI.
Bhim Army Chief Reaches Protest Site at Singhu Border
Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar Azad on Thursday met the protesting farmers at the Singhu border, saying that he would support the farmers till the end.
"If the government becomes a dictator then people should come out on the streets. The government should stop shaming this movement. We're here to support our farmers and will stand by them till the end," he said, according to ANI.
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Returns Padma Bhushan Award
Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa returned his Padma Bhushan award to oppose the farm laws on Thursday.
The leader was presented the Padma Bhushan by President of India Ram Nath Kovind in March 2019, Hindustan Times reports.
“I have returned my Padma Bhushan in protest as farmers have been staging dharnas for the past two months but the Central government is not ready to listen to them. When the BJP government is ignoring our elderly people, who have shifted their protest to Delhi borders, the award is worthless to me,” Dhindsa told Hindustan Times.
Farmers Bring Their Own Lunch to Meeting With Govt
Sharing visuals of farmer leaders eating food during the lunch break at Vigyan Bhawan where the talk with the government is underway, ANI quoted a farmer leader as saying:
AISCC Decries 'Acts of Wanton Repression'
All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), in a press bulletin, has announced “Massive All India Protest Campaigns for Repeal of New Farm Acts, Electricity Bill & Resisting Corporate Takeover of Agriculture & Food Security of India.”
“The National Working Group of AIKSCC has announced the a mass burning of effigies of Narendra Modi Government and Corporate giants Ambani and Adani will be burnt on 5th December 2020. It is expected that constituents of AIKSCC shall gather to carry out this call in more than 5,000 locations in India,” it said.
In addition, AIKSCC has extended full support to and expressed solidarity with the following campaigns being held all over India:
1. 3 December - Protest Programs being held by constituent organisations all over India demanding repeal of New Farm Acts and Electricity Bill 2020
2. 3 December - Anti-Corporate Day Protest Programs being held by constituent organisations all over India
3. 4 December - Protest March of Mass Organisations at Jantar Mantar, Delhi
4. 4 and 5 December - Protest Meetings, Road Blockades and other forms of protest being held all over India
AIKSCC also expressed shock at the “acts of wanton repression being unleashed against leaders and activists in the protests”; demanded immediate release of all arrested leaders and activists and warned “all governments that any oppression will be met by more determined resistances by the masses.”
'Elderly Women at Farmer Protests, Do They Look Khalistani?': Sukhbir Badal
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal on Thursday, 3 December, asked ANI if the elderly women at protests look “Khalistani” and pointed out that alleging the protesting farmers were khalistani was “a way of calling farmers of the country as anti-nationals.”
“There are elderly women in farmer protests. Do they look like Khalistanis? It is a way of calling farmers of the country as anti-nationals. This is an insult to the farmers. How dare they call our farmers anti-nationals?” he said.
Agitating Farmers Assemble at Ghazipur Border
Agitating farmers have assembled at Ghazipur border between UP and Delhi and are attempting to break through police barricades, reported ANI. Protests are underway at National Highway 24.
Further, according to ANI, Delhi Police has closed one carriageway of NH-24 for Uttar Pradesh to Delhi at Gazipur border as farmer protest continues.
Abolish the Farm Laws: Farmer Leaders to Govt
The farmer leaders, present at the meeting with the central government at Vigyan Bhavan, have suggested to the government to call a special session of Parliament and abolish the new farm laws.
Farmers' Meeting With Centre Concludes
The meeting of farmer leaders with the central government has concluded, reported ANI. Next meeting will be held on 5 December.
Will Consider Demand for a Higher Court for Farmers' Grievance: Union Agriculture Min
“Government has no ego,” said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday, 3 December, after the government’s meeting with farmers.
Tomar also informed that the government will consider the farmers’ demand to allocate a court higher than the SDM court for farmers to take their grievances too.
MSP Will Continue: Union Agriculture Minister
Addressing “reservation on MSP”, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said:
“I would like to reiterate that the MSP system will continue and we will assure farmers about it.”
Ordinance on Stubble Burning & Act on Electricity - Can Consider & Discuss: Agriculture Min
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, according to ANI, said, following meeting with farmers, that the government is open to “consider and discuss (sic)” an Ordinance on stubble burning and the Act on electricity.
Tomar also said, according to ANI:
“It was raised in meeting that if trade takes place outside the purview of mandi, it'll take place on the basis of PAN Card, which can be easily acquired by anyone today. So, trader should be registered. So, we will also ensure that the trader gets registered.”
Govt Will Contemplate Over Strengthening APMC, Equal Tax: Agriculture Min
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, following meeting with farmers, according to ANI, said that the Government will contemplate “about seeing that APMC is further strengthened and its usage increases.”
He further said:
“New laws lay down provision for private mandis outside purview of APMC. So, we'll also contemplate about having an equal tax for private as well as mandis under AMPC Act.”
Agriculture Minister Appeals to Farmers to End Protest
Appealing to farmers to end agitation, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said:
“The government is holding talks and the issue that will come up during discussion will definitely reach to a solution. That is why I appeal to farmers to end their agitation so that people of Delhi don't face problems that they are facing due to protests.”
Points of Discussion for 5 Dec Prepared: Som Prakash
Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, reportedly said, following the talks with farmer unions that points of discussion have been prepared, and discussions on them will be held on 5 December.
We are Hopeful: Hajinder Singh, Farmer Leader
Harjinder Singh Tanda, Azaad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, reportedly told ANI, that they are hopeful.
Tanda, according to ANI, also said:
Don’t Want Amendment, We Seek Withdrawal of Laws: Baldev Singh Sirsa, Farmer Leader
Speaking to ANI, Baldev Singh Sirsa, farmer leader said that they don’t want amendments, but withdrawal of the laws.
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