New Delhi, January 22
The government’s negotiations with protesting farm unions hit a roadblock on Friday as the farmer leaders stuck to their demands for a complete repeal of three farm laws they find pro-corporate and a legal guarantee for MSP, even as the Centre asked them to reconsider its proposal for putting the Acts on hold for 12-18 months.
Unlike the last 10 rounds of talks, the 11th round could not even reach a decision on the next date for the meeting as the government also hardened its position saying it is ready to meet again once the unions agree to discuss the suspension proposal.
Farmer leaders said they will intensify their agitation now and alleged that the government’s approach was not right during the meeting.
They also said their tractor parade will go ahead as per the plans on January 26 and unions have told the police that it is the government’s responsibility to maintain peace.
The 11th round of farmer-government meeting lasted barely for 30 minutes.
Broadly, the government has made it clear that the three controversial laws will not be repealed and that the government has made its best offer.
The Union Government has also urged the farmer leaders to consider building consensus around the proposal.
Ending the meeting, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told unions that “the government is grateful for thier cooperation”.
“There is nothing wrong in the three laws. We gave the proposal but you could not arrive at any decision. If you arrive at any conclusion please let us know, we will discuss again,” Tomar said.
Sources say Union Ministers have told farmer leaders that they had given the “best proposal” and that they should try to build consensus around it.
Meanwhile, farmer leaders said they were firm on their stated stance and have already decided that farmers would not settle for anything less than the repeal of the three laws.
“We will now prepare for the January 26 parade,” they said, adding “the government could not build a consensus and was wrong of them to accuse us of going to the media.
