Farmers Protest: No signs of agreement between Center and farmers in the eighth round, next meeting on January 15

New Delhi, January 8, 2021: The eighth round of discussion between the central government and farmer leaders at Vigyan Bhawan regarding the new agricultural laws has ended. Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal were present. Both met Home Minister Amit Shah minutes before the meeting. At the same time, after the meeting between the farmer and the government ended today, the next meeting will now be after January 15. The farmers’ protest on the Delhi border continues on the 44th day on Friday. The Agriculture Minister had hoped to find a solution in today’s meeting.

The protesting farmers stand adamant. On Thursday, before meeting with the Center, they organized a tractor march on the Delhi border and asked to continue the protest till their demands were met. The Center said it is ready to consider any proposal other than withdrawing the law. It is believed that the government can present a new formula to the farmers during this discussion to be held in the Vigyan Bhawan. An expert committee may be formed to review the laws. Apart from this, a concession can be considered with some conditions to states that object to the laws. In this, some conditions can also be added with the role of states.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, along with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Som Prakash, is leading the government’s dialogue with the farmer’s union leaders. On December 30, there was little success in the sixth round of conversation. During this time the government accepted two demands of the farmers. Thus far, other discussions have been fruitless.

Government ready to reform laws: Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary said, ‘In the previous meetings with the farmers, the topic of the farmers union was to improve the law. The government is ready for reform. I am sure they will understand this in today’s discussion.’ On Thursday, he said that the communists are pouring fuel into the fire for politics, that they do not want peace in the country. He also appealed to the farmers to maintain peace.

Discussions are an opportunity to explain the benefits of laws: Piyush Goyal

The ongoing interaction with farmer organizations is an opportunity to show them the benefits of new agricultural laws. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said this on Wednesday. Minister Piyush Goyal, on the 74th Foundation Day of the Bureau of Indian Standards, Food and Consumer Affairs, said that there is a different view of anything. For example, interaction with farmer organizations can be seen as a problem or an opportunity.

The whole country can be told about the advantages of these laws: Goyal said, ‘No good work is easy. Difficulties will always come. Every task has a problem, but everything depends on how we see things and how to deal with them. Everything depends on vision. I consider this interaction with farmer organizations as an opportunity in which farmers, the whole country can be made aware of the benefits of these laws.’