The sixth round of negotiations between farmer leaders and the government concluded today in the national capital. The government and farm unions reached some common ground on Wednesday to resolve protesting farmers' concerns over rise in power tariff and penalties for stubble burning, but the two sides remained deadlocked over the main contentious issues of the repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee for MSP.
The next round of talks will resume on January 4 at 2 pm on the two outstanding issues.
After the nearly five-hour meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said a consensus has been reached between the two sides on two out of the four issues. "Talks concluded on a positive note. Consensus on 2 out of 4 issues was reached between both sides. We have told them we are open for talks on their issues and problems," Mr Tomar said.
Mr Tomar said the union leaders kept insisting on repeal of the three farm laws, but the government side tried to explain them the benefits of the Acts and sought to know specific problems faced by the farmers.
Here are the highlights on farmer protests in India:
Dec 30, 2020 10:34 (IST)
Hema Malini pitches for farm laws
Actor-politician Hema Malini on Tuesday pitched for the three new agri-marketing laws, saying the Narendra Modi government has now given farmers more options to sell their crops.
"Ever since the BJP-led government came to power, it is making every effort to increase the farmer''s income," Mathura''s BJP MP told reporters through a video link. Earlier, she also talked to officials here through video conferencing.
Chanting the "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" slogan, Hema Malini praised both soldiers and farmers.
She appealed to farmers and their unions to give up their protest over the new farm laws and sit across the table with the government to remove their apprehensions.
She asked them to have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him their well-wisher.
Dec 30, 2020 08:39 (IST)
Will Only Discuss Repeal Of Laws, MSP Guarantee: Farmers Ahead of Talks
Farmers protesting the agriculture laws fired a warning shot late Tuesday night ahead of a sixth round of talks with the centre tomorrow, saying that they would only discuss certain issues, including modalities of repealing all three laws and providing legal guarantees for MSP.
The nationwide protest by tens of thousands of irate farmers has rumbled on for over a month now, with their core demand - the scrapping of the laws and legal support for MSP - unchanged.
The centre has been equally obstinate - the laws will not be rolled back (but certain sections can be amended) and it will offer only a written (not legally binding) guarantee for MSP.
Dec 30, 2020 08:38 (IST)
Ashok Gehlot Demands Waiver Of Farmers' Outstanding Loans In Letter To PM
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday demanding a waiver of the outstanding loans taken by farmers from nationalised and Bhoomi Vikas banks.
According to a Right To Information (RTI) reply, the Modi government, in its first tenure, had waived loans amounting to ₹ 7.95 lakh crore of industrialists, but had done nothing for the farmers, Ashok Gehlot said in a statement.
After Congress came to power in Rajasthan in 2018, loans of 20.56 lakh people worth ₹ 8,000 crore were waived off in the state, he added.
