Farmers' protest : Farmer unions hold talks to discuss govt proposal

New Delhi: As the ongoing farmers' protest continued for the 14th day on Wednesday, farmer leaders holds discussions to discuss government proposal at the Singhu border on the Delhi-Ambala route.

The development comes in the wake of postponement of the sixth round of talks between farmer leaders and the government slated to be held on Wednesday and a meeting of representatives of 13 farmer organisations with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi a day earlier.

Around 32 Punjab-based farmer unions are holding a meeting to discuss the government's proposal and their next course of action. The remaining eight farmer groups will join the talks later.

"We'll strategise in our meeting and discuss the Centre's proposal. Farmers won't go back, it's a matter of respect. Will the government not withdraw the laws? Will there be tyranny? If the government is stubborn, so are farmers. Law has to be withdrawn." said Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait,reports India today

Tikait said that they "will discuss proposal sent by government today noon, but laws must be withdrawn'"

As per India todays' report, the Inside details of govt's offer to farmers proposes 5 amendments including, Strengthening APMCs, Creating a level-playing field with other "trade areas", Allowing local courts to hear disputes,Continuation of MSP and likely amendment in stringent law against stubble burning

Tuesdays' meeting was held at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Pusa. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal were also present at the meeting.

In the Tuesday's meeting with Shah, it was decided that a written proposal would be sent by the government on Wednesday to the farmers on the points on which it is agreeable to amend the three new central agricultural laws.

The government has rejected the demand of farmers to withdraw the three farm laws and said that only amendments to these laws can be considered.

On Wednesday evening, a delegation of Opposition leaders is slated to call on President Ram Nath Kovind to urge him to intervene to get the government to repeal the contentious laws. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP President Sharad Pawar, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja and DMK's TKS Elangovan and others are likely to be part of the delegation.

Bharat Bandh called by farmers' organisations was peaceful on Tuesday. They are demanding repeal of The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020; the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Price Assurance and the Agricultural Services Agreement Act 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.

Thousands of farmers are protesting on Delhi's borders with Haryana and UP since November 26 against three contentious farm laws enacted in September. As five rounds of government-farmer talks remained inconclusive.

The farmers are also demanding a separate Minimum Support Price (MSP) law among other issues, while the government is ready to give priority to MSP by amending the existing law and focus on 'mandis' in coming days.

( With inputs from agencies )