Govt asks unions to create an informal group to discuss finer points of the laws
The ninth round talks between the farmers and the Government on Friday again failed to end the stalemate over the farm laws. While farmers insisted on the repeal of the laws and legal guarantee of the MSP, the Government asked them to be more flexible in their approach and expressed willingness for necessary amendments.
However, both sides have agreed to continue the dialogue despite the Supreme Court constituting a committee to mediate on the issue.
The next round of talks will be held on January 19, the day the court-appointed committee is likely to start consulting stakeholders to end the impasse. This was the first meeting after the Supreme Court stayed the enactment of farm laws until further orders’ and appointed a four-member committee to resolve the deadlock over new farm laws.
In the meeting that lasted for nearly five hours, including a lunch break, the Government requested unions to create an informal group to discuss finer points of the laws so that a way forward can be found in the wake of the Supreme Court’s direction.
Besides their major demands, unions alleged police repression on people associated as well as not associated with the ongoing protests, NIA raids on transporters and arthiyas in Punjab who are supporting farmers’ protests and were providing logistic support for the agitation.
The farmer representatives have also raised questions on the cases that have been lodged against the farmers and urged the Government to address this and prevent it. During the meeting, the Karnal incident where agitating farmers ransacked the venue of Manohar Lal Khattar’s “kisan mahapanchayat” came up.
“Talks took place over three farm laws in a cordial atmosphere and detailed discussions took place on some issues, but couldn’t reach a decisive stage. We suggested they can form an informal group of people who can understand the laws better and prepare some concrete proposals, detailing what are farmers’ expectations and what clauses are problematic for them, which the Government can consider with an open mind,” Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said after the meeting with the farmer leaders.
He further said the Government is hopeful of discussions reaching some decisive stage at the tenth round of talks on January 19.
Tomar said he had no problem with the farmers preferring to continue talks with the Government even as the Supreme Court has appointed a panel. “Unions want to continue the dialogue with the Government and we have no problem with that. The SC-appointed panel will also work for the welfare of farmers,” he said.
The Minister also said the Government will present its side before the committee panel when invited.
According to sources, Tomar told the farmers during the meeting that while the Government has accepted most of their demands, it is the farmers who are stuck and are not moving ahead to break the deadlock between the two over farm laws.
Tomar said, “I did not want to say it but the farmers have been telling media persons that they are firm on farm laws but we have accepted most of your demands but the farmers are stuck on their stand. Farmers are not even taking a step forward.”
Farmer leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan said the unions urged the Government to repeal the three laws, but the Centre was unwilling to do so. After the meeting, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said farmers have made it clear that they would not talk to the Supreme Court’s appointed committee and will talk to Government only. Farmer leader Darshan Pal said there was a good discussion on all three laws. “There is a possibility of some resolution. We are positive,” he added.
Farmers unions said they are committed to continuing holding direct talks to resolve the over-one-month-long deadlock over three agri laws, even as a committee has been formed by the Supreme Court to resolve the deadlock. At the meeting, both the government and farmers’ unions reaffirmed their commitment to continue with the direct dialogue process.
On the direct talks between the Government and farmers continuing despite the Supreme Court appointing a panel, Tomar said everyone is fully committed to the apex court and the government will also present its side before the committee panel when invited. “Unions want to continue the dialogue with the Government and we have no problem with that. The SC-appointed panel will also work for the welfare of farmers,” he said. The Minister said solution can emerge from the Government-farmers talks as well as from the SC-appointed panel’s deliberations.
Besides Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash were part of the Government side talking with representatives of around 40 farmer unions at the Vigyan Bhawan.
Saturday, 16 January 2021 | Rajesh Kumar | New Delhi
