Talks over farm laws remain indecisive again, next meet on Dec 9

Delhi: Farm leaders and the government on Saturday held the fifth round of talk, to end the deadlock over the new farm laws, however, the talks remained inconclusive once again. It was decided by all the stake holders that the next meeting will be held on December 9.

 Earlier in the day, ahead of the crucial meeting with protesting farmer organisations, Union ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliberate over proposals likely to be made to the agitating groups, sources said on Saturday.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal were also present in the meeting with the prime minister, they said. According to sources, the government has worked out possible solutions to the provisions on which farm leaders have raised objections. It hopes to break the deadlock on Saturday so that the farmers’ protest ends at the earliest.

In the previous meeting on Thursday, Tomar had assured 40 farmer union leaders that the government is open to considering ways to strengthen APMC mandis, create a level-playing field with proposed private markets, and provide a provision for approaching higher courts for dispute resolution, while asserting that procurement at minimum support price (MSP) will continue.   

The 5th round of talks between Centre and farmers over farm laws remained inconclusive once again as farmers went on ‘maun vrat’, wanting answers to their demands in yes or no from the government. However, it was decided at the meeting that the next round of talks between farmer leaders and central government will be held on December 9, on the request of all stakeholders.

Earlier, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, “We can meet the day after tomorrow for another round of meeting,” but it was decided that next round of talks will be held on December 9 (Wednesday).

Farmers from Bilaspur, Uttarakhand reach the Ghazipur border (UP-Delhi border) and join protesting farmers stationed at Delhi-Meerut Expressway.