Farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws entered day 14 on Wednesday amid indications the impasse between the government and farm unions will not end anytime soon. As protesting farmers continue to sit on the outskirts of Delhi, occupying various highways leading to the national capital.
“informal” talks between Union home minister Amit Shah and farmer leaders, which took place late Tuesday night, failed to break the deadlock.
the government will send a proposal to discuss which unions will hold a talk and then decide further action.
Farmer leader Hannan Mollah said the scheduled talk on Wednesday with Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal will not be held.
Though Shah proposed another round of talks on December 10, unions said they would decide on it after going through the Centre’ proposal tomorrow.
Sources said 13 farmer leaders were called for the meeting, which began after 8 pm. The farmer leaders included eight from Punjab and five from various nationwide organisations.
“We will decide whether or not to go for the meeting tomorrow at 12 noon at Singhu border, said AIKS leader and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Hannan Mollah after meeting Amit Shah.
“The minister said they will give their proposals on amendments tomorrow…They are not ready for rolling back the laws,” Mollah added.
“We told them we have been discussing the same thing for the past five meetings. They should have given proposals six months back. Maybe there would have been discussions then. Since they are not ready to retreat, it seems improbable that we will attend the meeting,” he said.
Some farmer leaders said they first expected the meeting would take place at Shah’s residence here but the venue was shifted to National Agricultural Science Complex, Pusa.
Apparently, Shah said the government was ready give written assurance on issues related to stubble burning, MSP, the APMC, stock limits and, Power Act.
“There were indications on amendments but the government is not ready to roll back the laws. The issue will continue for long…we are getting more support for our cause,” Darshan Pal said.
