No breakthrough in govt-farmers meet, next round of talks on 19 Jan
No breakthrough in govt-farmers meet, next round of talks on 19 Jan
M.U.H
15/01/2021519
The ninth round of talks between the protesting farmers' unions and the central government regarding the contentious agri laws ended on an inconclusive note on Friday. The next meeting between the two groups will be held on 19 January.
The farmers said after the meeting that they will not settle for anything lesser than a total withdrawal of the three laws.
"Our demands of repealing of the three farm laws and MSP guarantee remain. We will not go to the committee constituted by the Supreme Court. We will talk to the central government only," said Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait
This was the first meeting after the apex court ruled the appointment of a four-member committee to resolve the impasse between the farmers and government.
"The bill was passed by the Parliament so only government should repeal it, not the committee made on the orders of the Supreme Court," Tikait had said prior to the ninth meeting.
The government has maintained that it is looking to reach a solution through talks.
"Today's talks with farmers unions were not decisive. We will hold talks again on 19 January. We are positive to reach a solution through talks. The government is concerned about the farmers protesting in cold conditions," said the minister after the meeting.
"We are fully committed to SC orders and welcome their judgement. The government will present its side before court-appointed panel when invited," he added.
Regarding Congress party's protest led by Rahul Gandhi in support of the agitating farmers, the minister said: "Congress party laughs at statements and actions of Rahul Gandhi, it mocks at him. I would like to tell him that in their 2019 election manifesto, Congress had promised that they will bring this reform. If he does not remember, he should read the manifesto again."
Launching an attack, he asked Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to appear before the media and accept that they were lying in the run up to the Assembly elections if the manifesto mentions the reforms.
Protesting farmer leaders had on Thursday said they will attend the ninth round of talks with the government amid indication that it may be last such meeting with the Centre.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) Joginder Singh Ugrahan told PTI, "We are going to hold talks with the government tomorrow. We don't have much hope from the Friday meeting as the government will cite the SC-appointed panel. The government doesn't have good intention to resolve our issues."
Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting at various border points of Delhi since 26 November last year.