Prem Singh Bhangu, President of All India Kisan Federation (Image Courtesy : ANI)

Farmers reject Government proposal to form committee, next meeting on Thursday

The government's proposal to form a committee to study the three contentious farm laws was rejected by farmer unions during the talks called by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday to resolve the issues raised by agitating farmers.

"Now is not the time for a committee," sources quoted farmers' representatives as saying at the meeting with three central ministers this evening.A second meeting will be held on December 3,reports NDTV .

"Our movement against farm laws will continue and we'll definitely take back something from the Govt, be it bullets or a peaceful solution. We'll come back for more discussions with them", reacted Chanda Singh, Member of Farmers' Delegation who met Union Agriculture Minister in Delhi today.

Meanwhile Prem Singh Bhangu, President of All India Kisan Federation reacted that today's meeting with Union Agricultural Minister was good and some progress was made.

"During our next meet on 3rd Dec with govt, we'll convince them that no clause of farm law is pro-farmer. Our agitation will continue," he added

More farmers from Punjab and khaps from Haryana are making their way to the national capital, demanding that the laws be repealed. The farmers had said they will continue the protest if their demands are not accepted.

"The meeting was good and we have decided that the talks will be held on 3rd December," reacted Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh who lead the meeting.

"We wanted a small group to be constituted but farmers' leaders wanted that the talks should be held with everyone, we do not have problem with it," he added.

He also appealed the farmers to suspend the protests and come for the talks,reports ANI.

According to a report by IANS, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Roop Singh Sanna told that "forming a committee is an attempt to postpone the issue. We are not ready to accept government's offer,"

He also said that all the "union leaders unanimously rejected" the government's offer.

The government is holding on to its stance of not rolling back the three farm laws which farmers allege are "anti-farm" and "black laws": The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The meeting between the government and farmers came after late Monday night invitation sent by Agriculture Minister to them following their ongoing protest started from November 26.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at Delhi borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Currently, these farmers have been protesting at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders.

(with inputs from agencies)

2020-12-01 18:56 IST

Bilkis Bano, who shot to fame during anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh sit-in that began in December 2019, was detained at Singhu border between Delhi and Haryana, on Tuesday after she joined the farmers protest.

2020-12-01 18:37 IST

The farmers' representatives have turned down the Centre's second pitch for a committee to discuss the contentious farm laws, protests against which are intensifying by the day, reports NDTV.

"Now is not the time for a committee," sources quoted farmers' representatives as saying at the meeting with three central ministers this evening.

Meanwhile More farmers from Punjab and khaps from Haryana are making their way to the national capital, demanding that the laws be repealed. Though the government is firm that the laws will not be withdrawn, according to the report it is said that the government will try to dispel concerns about the minimum support price and mandis.

According to the report,the farmers have indicated that they will continue the protest if their demands are not accepted.

2020-12-01 18:04 IST

Chilla border (Delhi-Noida Link Road) closed in wake of protesting farmers blocking Delhi to U.P Link Road.

Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory requesting commuters travelling to Noida to take a U-turn from Ghazipur/Akshardham flyover anmd  take Sarai Kale Khan route

2020-12-01 17:27 IST

Government gave a detailed presentation to the farmers' leaders on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act,reports ANI

Meeting underway at Vigyan Bhawan.

2020-12-01 17:25 IST

Centre Government asks to give names of 4-5 people from each organizations to constitute a committee to discuss new agricultural laws.

"The committee will have representatives from govt as well as agricultural experts", says Government.

Meeting with farmers' leaders underway at Vigyan Bhawan.

2020-12-01 16:13 IST

Police detain Shaheen Bagh activist Bilkis Dadi who reached Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) to join farmers' protest, reports ANI

2020-12-01 16:11 IST

Delhi Cabinet Minister Kailash Gehlot demanded that Centre should accept all demands proposed by farmers as they're are genuine,reports ANI. He also asked to have proper dialogue with farmers. The minister was reacting before media during a visit to Burari protest site.

"My purpose of visiting protest sites is to ensure basic facilities for protesting farmers", Gehlot added

2020-12-01 15:49 IST

We are daughters of farmers, we'll go to support farmers' protest today,"reacts Bilkis Dadi, Shaheen Bagh activist

"We will raise our voice, the government should listen to us",she added

2020-12-01 15:44 IST

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal hold meeting with farmers' leaders at Vigyan Bhawan,reports ANI

2020-12-01 15:15 IST

Farmer leaders reach Vigyan Bhawan as Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has called them for talks,reports ANI

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