Wednesday, 08 December 2021 | PNS | New Delhi
Most kisan leaders satisfied with Govt response, but seek clarity on issues
The agitating farmers’ groups will meet on Wednesday to take a final call whether to end their protests after they reportedly received a positive response from the Government on meeting their demands.
In a meeting held at Singhu border on Tuesday, farmer leaders expressed their satisfaction over the Centre’s move to resolve the standoff, but some wanted more clarity on the issues raised by them and sought clarification from the Government.
After the meeting, farmers’ leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said they will hold another meeting at 2 pm on Wednesday. He said several farmers have sought certain clarifications, including on the precondition set for withdrawal of “fake” cases against farmers.
“The Government sent a proposal, it was discussed and presented before all members under the aegis of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and sent it to the Government with our reservations”, Rajewal said.
Farmer leaders added that there is a general consensus among the SKM leaders on the written assurance they have received from the Government. “The Morcha will seek further clarifications on a few points of the Government’s proposal, and will reconvene at 2 pm on Wednesday for further discussion. The Morcha hopes for a positive response from the Government,” said the SKM in a statement.
Last week Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to two farmer leaders (via a phone call) to discuss outstanding issues; this was after their protests forced the recall of the farm laws.
The Centre has conveyed to farmer unions that the proposed committee on the minimum support price (MSP) will have representations from the SKM, Government officials, and representatives of States. Besides, the Government has agreed to drop all police cases against farmers — this includes stubble burning complains and cases filed by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Police after withdrawal of protests.
On the Government proposal to set up a committee on MSP, Rajewal said that farmers had objections to it. “We do not want other committees. We have demanded the Government give a clarification in this regard.
On the withdrawal of cases against farmers, Rajewal said, “We are also against the condition set by the Government that farm unions should lift the protest for the withdrawal of fake cases against farmers. We won’t accept any such precondition.”
Farmers groups earlier formed a five-member committee of Balbir Singh Rajewal, Shiv Kumar Kakka, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Yudhvir Singh and Ashok Dhawale to hold talks with the Centre and State Governments on their demands.
After the announcement of repealing three contentious farm laws, the SKM had written to the Prime Minister on November 21 and placed six demands.
The demands are: Legal guarantee of MSP for all produce based on C2+50% formula; withdrawal of draft Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020/2021; removal of the penal provisions on farmers in the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act 2021; withdrawal of false cases registered against the farmers over the course of the ongoing movement; dismissal and arrest of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra Teni in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri incident; compensation and rehabilitation to the families of the who died during the farm movement; and allocation of land for a memorial to them at Singhu.
