The eleventh round of talks between the farmers' leaders and the Centre has once again remained inconclusive. The meeting ended at 5 pm and the government told the farmers that it has given its best proposals and now the onus lies with them.
Appreciating farmer unions cooperation, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar stressed that there were 'no problems in the three laws, but the government had offered to suspend them as respect for farmers'. He also added that the government is ready for discussion if they are open to the proposal of suspension of the three laws.
During the tenth round of discussions, which were held on Wednesday, the government had offered to suspend the implementation of the farm laws for 12 to 18 months, though it was rejected by the farmers.
The protesting farmers are demanding a complete repeal of the laws and a written guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
One of the farmer leaders, Shiv Kumar Kakka while speaking to the media said, "before the lunch break, farmer leaders reiterated their demand for the repeal of the farm laws and govt said they are ready for amendments. The minister asked us to consider govt's proposal & we asked him to consider ours. After that, the minister left the meeting."
"No date for the next meeting has been fixed by the government," said Surjeet Singh Phul, State President of BKU Krantikari (Punjab).
During the meeting, the government offered to put the implementation of the farm laws on hold for two years and said that the next round of meeting can take place only if farmer unions are ready to accept the proposal: Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union.
What did the farmer leaders say before today’s meeting?
Ahead of the meeting today, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee SS Pandher said that the government is playing with the farmers. "They want to end protests somehow. In our meeting, it was unanimously decided that we reject their proposal," he said, talking about the Kisan unions' decision to reject the government's proposal of suspending the farm laws for 12-18 months.
All India Kisan Sabha General Secretary Hannan Mollah said we are not expecting much from the Centre and requested the govt to understand the protest’s mood and decide accordingly.
Speaking on the proposed massive tractor rally on Republic Day, Hanna Mollah said, "Kisans have started coming to the outer Ring Road and they will come. We can't change the program. The rally will be held as declared."