New Delhi: Amid massive protests by farmers for the third consecutive day, the government on Saturday said it is ready for talks with them anytime and urged them to call off their agitation.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that while a meeting with 32 protesting farmer unions has already been scheduled on December 3 to address their concerns, the government is ready to engage the unions' leaders before that if they wish to.
"Farmers should end the protest and come for discussion. The Government of India is fully ready for the discussion. If farmer unions' send their proposal, we are ready to consider that," Mr Tomar said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said that the Centre is ready to hold discussions with farmers.
"Some farmers unions and farmers have demanded that talks be held immediately instead of December 3. So, I assure everyone that the central government is ready to hold discussions with you as soon as you shift to the ground (in Burari)," he said.
Punjab farmers resumed their ''Delhi Chalo'' march against the Centre's new farm laws on Saturday morning after halting for the night to join thousands who have already reached the national capital's borders.
By Friday evening, all Haryana Police barricades at the border with Punjab and along the highway to Delhi had been lifted. Hundreds entered the national capital to hold a peaceful protest at a north Delhi ground after facing teargas and water cannons and clashing with security personnel, while thousands remained at border points, undecided whether to go to the demonstration site identified by police.
Farmers protesting against the Centre's three farm laws have expressed apprehension that the laws would pave a way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates.
Here are the Highlights of the farmers' protest:
Nov 28, 2020 23:56 (IST)
Farmers Protest: Akali Dal chief accuses Haryana Chief Minister of maligning agitating farmers
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday accused Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar of "maligning and insulting" farmers protesting against three farm laws and said the party formed a three-member panel to coordinate with like-minded political parties to support farmers' agitation.
In tweets, Mr Badal accused Khattar of seeking to "defame the farmers and their agitation".
"SAD strongly condemns Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's statement terming our peasants who are agitating against the AntiFarmerLaws as Khalistanis. This is a conspiracy to defame the farmers and their agitation to pave the way for its repression with brutal force," Mr Badal said.
Nov 28, 2020 18:04 (IST)
Farmers' Protest: Agriculture Minister invites farmers for talks once again
As farmers from Punjab and Haryana started protesting against the three new farm laws on Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari on Saturday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar reiterated that the central government was ready for talks with the farmer unions' leaders on December 3 to resolve their issues.
"The government is ready to do anything that is required for the prosperity of farmers. We have invited them for talks on December 3 and I hope that they will come," Mr Tomar told ANI.
While the government has maintained that the three laws will do away with middlemen, enabling farmers to sell their produce in the markets directly, protesters fear that these could dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system, thereby disrupting their timely payments.
Nov 28, 2020 17:36 (IST)
Amarinder Singh To Centre: Bring An Amendment
Can't you bring an amendment and add it to the existent bill? So that the farmer will be assured that his food and family will be secured.
Nov 28, 2020 17:33 (IST)
Protest Is Bigger Than Virus: Amarinder Singh To NDTV
Regardless of the virus, the farmers have gone to Delhi because this is beyond everything. This is much bigger. The farmer is thinking how he will secure food for his children. For God's sake, let's think about them. Think about what will matter to them. What's the harm in bringing some sort of clarity on this?
Nov 28, 2020 17:23 (IST)
To Protest Is Their Right: Amarinder Singh To NDTV
Punjab is not stopping its farmers because it is their rights. Why are you stopping them? Why are you using watercannons and tear gassing them? When we are not stopping them and Delhi is not stopping them, who are you to stop them?