Farmers, Govt agree to meet again on Jan 4

Government and representatives of Kisan unions have reached consensuses on two of the four points and agreed to meet again on January  4 for further discussion on the remaining two issues,  said Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar. He along with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had participated in   the meet with farmers’ unions on December 30 in Delhi. The Government had  invited farmers’ unions for talks to end the impasse over the three farm laws. This was the sixth round of talks between the government and farmers to end the deadlock. The Centre had written to 40 farmers unions inviting for talks. Apart from the farm laws, discussions were held on MSP and on legislations related to air quality and the electricity. The government has reiterated that it is committed to finding a logical solution on all relevant issues raised by the farmers with a clear intention and an open mind. The talks were held in a very good environment & it concluded on a positive note. Govt has been saying that MSP will continue. We are ready to give this in writing, said  Tomar. But farmers’ unions feel MSP should get legal status. So ,the discussion will continue on the legal aspect of MSP & other issues on January 4, Tomar said. ’Talks were positive today. Govt has been saying that we should end agitation & form a committee. But we didn’t listen to them. We won’t take back our movement. We won’t form any committee. We’ll discuss MSP in next meet, said  Balkaran Singh Brar, Punjab President, All India Kisan Sabha. BKU said ‘’ The issues related to stubble burning & electricity were sorted in today’s meeting. 2 of our main issues still need to be resolved. We’ll discuss topics related to MSP & repealing of 3 Farm laws in the next meeting on 4th January, said Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson for  Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU). On the issue of stubble burning, govt agreed to exclude farmers from fine. On electricity issue, govt has taken back Power Bill 2020,  Krantikari Kisan Union President Darshan Pal .edited by PK Chakravarty  picture courtesy : India Today