New Delhi: As the protest by the farmers, camping at the Delhi borders, against the Centre's agricultural reforms has entered its fifteenth day today, the government will make an appeal to them to call off the unprecedented protests against the new farm laws, explaining why it is diluting the laws, sources said. The government will also explain why it is bringing amendments to the controversial laws which the farmers want repealed, they said.
On Wednesday, the agitating farmers rejected the government's proposal to amend three new farm laws and said they would step up protests. The protesting farmers have been saying these laws would harm their economic interests while helping big food retailers.
Their plans involve closure of the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, boycott of Reliance malls and capture of toll plazas.By December 14, there will be a full-scale protest across the country, the farmers said.
Farmers have been demonstrating since late last month over reforms enacted in September that loosened rules around the sale, pricing and storage of farm produce.
Here are the live updates on farmers' protests:
Dec 10, 2020 18:21 (IST)
Farmers' unions should consider Centre's proposal: Narendra Singh Tomar
Farmers' unions should consider Government's proposal; we are always ready for further discussions: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar
Dec 10, 2020 15:33 (IST)
Farmers Protest: Centre trying to ruin country, says Kamal Nath on new farm laws
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath has hit out at the Centre over the three new farm laws, alleging that the government was trying to ruin the country.
Thousands of farmers have been protesting on various borders of the national capital against the three farm laws enacted in September.
"The new agriculture laws brought by the Centre will exploit the farmers," the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister told reporters here on Wednesday night.
"This government is working aimlessly and it is going to ruin the entire country," he alleged.
Dec 10, 2020 13:20 (IST)
Farmers Protest Live: Will end protest only after withdrawal of farm laws, says farm union
With the farmers' protest in and around Delhi against the recently enacted farm laws entering 15th day, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Thursday reiterated that the agitation would not be withdrawn till the three Acts are repealed.
A day after rejecting the Centre's proposal on changes in the three farm laws, the BKU also demanded a Bill on minimum support price (MSP).
"The proposal has no mention of the withdrawal of the laws. They (central government) wants amendment in them but we want these laws to be repealed. We don't want changes. We will end our protest only when these laws are withdrawn," BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait told ANI, adding the government is interested only in ending the protest.
Dec 10, 2020 12:10 (IST)
Farmers' Protest Latest News: Over 50 medical camps set up for farmers at Delhi's Singhu border
Over 50 free round-the-clock medical camps have come up at Singhu, one of the multiple Delhi borders, where farmers have been agitating against the three recently enacted farm laws, braving the winters, for the last 15 days.
Free medicines and ambulance services are also being provided to the agitating farmers.
Dr Kanwar Pal Singh, a volunteer associated with United Sikhs NGO, which has set up many such camps, told ANI people mostly complained of fever and sore throat here. "Protesters, however, are taking all precautions here amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he said on Thursday.
Dec 10, 2020 11:50 (IST)
Farmers Protest: Farmer Leader On Minister Remark That China, Pak behind farmers' protest
"This is an insult to the Indian farmers. The farmers are led by their own interests and do not bother about any other forces," said Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha on Union minister Raosaheb Danve's statement that "China, Pak behind farmers' protest".
Dec 10, 2020 11:04 (IST)
Farmers Protest Live: The protest is movement to restore India's democratic value, says Akhilesh Yadav
Asserting that the farmers are agitating in and around Delhi for the restoration of the democratic value of the country, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said every citizen is emotionally joining the protest against the recently enacted farm laws.
"The farmers' protest is a movement to restore the democratic value of India. And the general public should participate in all the decisions of the government; should not let it impose its will. That is the reason every citizen of the country is also emotionally connecting with the farmers'' protest to save democracy in India," the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh tweeted in Hindi.
Dec 10, 2020 10:28 (IST)
Farmers Protest - Punjab family says no to wedding gifts, keeps donation box for farmers
A family in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, asked their relatives and friends to donate money for the protesting farmers, instead of presenting gifts, during the wedding of their son recently.
At the ceremony, they put up a donation box in the venue and appealed to guests to make generous donations for the farmers protesting against three recently enacted farm laws in and around Delhi.
"This is our struggle and we all must fight it together. Everyone should help them. I would like to urge the young generation to do something for society, and come out in their support," said Abhijit Singh, the groom.
