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’
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.
“Points of discussion have been prepared. Discussions will be held on these points on 5 December and we hope that the agitation will end the same day.”Som Prakash
We are Hopeful: Hajinder Singh, Farmer Leader
Harjinder Singh Tanda, Azaad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, reportedly told ANI, that they are hopeful.
“Talks have made little progress. In the half time it seemed that today’s meeting will yield no result, in second half it seemed that there is pressure of farmers agitation, on government. Talks were held in a conducive atmosphere.”
Tanda, according to ANI, also said:
“We are hopeful. The laws are wrong. In the next meeting, we will put pressure on the government. They will have to say that they will take back the laws. In my opinion, it will be finalised in the meeting day after tomorrow.”
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.
“We listed all drawbacks before govt, they had to admit that there are drawbacks & they’ll make amendments. We said we don’t want amendments but withdrawal of laws. We also demanded that MSP be implemented for certain & law should be made for it.”
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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.”