Farmers protesting the centre's new farm laws have agreed to a sixth round of talks - scheduled for Wednesday - after today's meeting yielded no breakthrough on the key issue - the repeal of the three farm laws. The government, during the meeting, said it needs more time for internal discussion. It told the farmers that it will place the proposal on December 9.
During the fifth round of talks between the government and protesting farmers in Delhi, the farmers' representatives asked the Centre to give a point-wise written reply of the last meeting, to which the government agreed. Farmers, during the talks at Vigyan Bhawan, said that they need a solution or commitment. Farm leaders have said that they will end their protests only after the government promises a "complete rollback" of the controversial farm laws.
Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter's residence, where, sources say, amending the laws was discussed. "Farmers' doubts will be cleared in today's meeting with the centre. Opposition is instigating the protesters. We expect farmers will roll back protest," Junior Agriculture Minister Kailash Choudhary said earlier today.
The farmers have called a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday, saying they will occupy all highway toll gates across the country and not allow the government to collect tolls as part of the December 8 strike.