Protesting farm leaders on Wednesday, 9 December, rejected the government's draft proposal for amendments in the three contentious laws.
Addressing the media, farm leaders also called for protest demonstrations and ‘gheraos’ on 14 December, saying there was nothing new in the government's proposal.
Amid the continuing protests, the Centre on Wednesday had sent a draft proposal to the unions, saying that it will give a written assurance on MSP, among other proposals. However, farm leaders have called for a repeal of the laws.
The sixth round of talks between the Centre and farm leaders scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled earlier. On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with protesting farmers, but the meeting ended inconclusively.
- Amid the deadlock, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence on Wednesday
- As the protest entered Day 14, farmers continued to protest against the three contentious laws at various borders of Delhi, central among them the Tikri and Singhu borders
- Punjab Kisan Union’s RS Mansa had sought permission for the protesting farmers to use the Ramlila Ground in Delhi
- A joint delegation of Opposition parties met President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday, calling for a repeal of the laws
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Farmers Reject Govt Proposal on Laws; Call for ‘Gheraos’, Road Blocks
Protesting farm leaders on Wednesday rejected the government's draft proposal for amendments in the three contentious laws.
Addressing the media, farm leaders also called for protest demonstrations and ‘gheraos’ on 14 December, saying there was nothing new in the government's proposal.
"We will 'gherao' district headquarters in states on 14 December... No decisions (have been taken) yet on the next round of talks with the central government on the three laws," farm leader Shiv Kumar Kakka was quoted as saying by PTI.
He added that the protesters might take a call on crossing the Singhu border to enter Delhi in the coming days.
The farm leaders also said that the Delhi-Jaipur and the Delhi-Agra highways will be blocked, adding that roads in Delhi will be obstructed one by one if the laws are not withdrawn.
What Does the Centre's Draft Proposal to Farmers Say?
In the draft proposal sent by the Centre to the farmers on Wednesday, it has said that it will give written assurance on MSP. The Centre has also said that the concerned law will be amended to permit appeals to civil court. In the proposal, it has said that state governments can register private mandis and subject them to the same cesses as APMC. In the 20-page document, the Centre has appealed to farmer unions to call off their agitation "for the sake of the self respect of farmers".
The proposal also proposes no change in the existing electricity payment structure.
However, since the draft makes no mention of repealing the laws, it is likely to be rejected by the farmers.
Farmers' Leader Receive Draft Proposal From Govt
Farmers’ leaders at Singhu Border have received a draft proposal from the Government of India, reports ANI.
“We are now going to hold discussions on the proposal sent by Government of India,” Manjeet Singh, BKU State President, Doaba told ANI soon after.
Over 32 farmer organisations under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha were to meet at noon at the Singhu border to discuss their major demands and the future action plan. Bharatiya Kisan Manch leader Boota Singh told IANS that the morning meeting was a sort of preparatory one while the second meeting will discuss the Centre's written proposals on their demands.
Will Only Consider Written Proposal: All India Kisan Sabha Leader
Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha told ANI that the farmers have told the government that they will only look at a proposal if it is in writing and a broader committee will discuss it.
Mollah further said that if the written proposal talks about the amendment, the position of the farmers, saying that it would only be considered if the repeal of the laws was discussed.
“If the letter comes and we consider it positive, the meeting with the Centre can be held tomorrow,” he said, according to ANI.