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Agencies

Farmers accept government's offer for talks, crucial meeting over farm laws at 3 pm
01-December-2020

Protesting farmers have accepted the government's offer for talks over the farm laws that are at the heart of agitation. According to reports, 36 farmers unions will take part in the talks with the Centre at the Vigyan Bhavan in the national capital at 3 pm. The Centre had on Monday invited protesting farmers for talks to end the stalemate over the three farm laws as they continue their agitation at Delhi border points against the government's new laws.

"In our meeting, we have decided to accept the central government's offer to hold talks at 3 pm today. Representatives of protesting farmers will attend the meeting with Union ministers," farmer leader Baljeet Singh Mahal said.

Meanwhile, the government has made it clear that it will not take back the three farm laws, instead its representatives will attempt to dispel their concerns over the laws.

Thousands of farmers are camping at Delhi borders for the last five days to lodge their protest against the three farm laws. Farmers fear that the new farm laws will dismantle the minimum support price system and corporatise the agriculture sector.

"Farmer leaders have been invited for talks today at 3pm. The government is always ready for talks," Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters ahead of a crucial meet with Union ministers Amit Shah, and Rajnath Singh at BJP national president JP Nadda's residence in Delhi.

In another related development, the government has named a panel comprising three Union ministers -- Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and Railways minister Piyush Goyal to hold the talks with the farmers.

The government's invitation from the Center on Monday came after consultations among senior BJP leaders over the ways to reach farmers' leaders. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal has also written to representatives of farmer unions, including the Krantikari Kisan Union, Jammuhari Kisan Sabha, Bhartiya Kisan Sabha (Dakauda), Kul Hind Kisan Sabha, Kriti Kisan Union and Punjab Kisan Union, inviting them for discussion on December 1.

The November 13 meeting was inconclusive and the Union Agriculture Ministry had invited them for a second round of discussion on December 3 to resolve their concerns about new farm laws.

Tikri border closed for traffic
Meanwhile, Tikri border is closed for any traffic movement, the Delhi Traffic Police said in a tweet.

Earlier on Monday, PM Narendra Modi said that the new farm laws have brought new options and opportunities for farmers and also provides legal protection against to them. Speaking at function in Varanasi, the Prime Minister said that while everyone can raise questions in a democracy but there is a new trend in which some people are spreading misinformation and canards against the decisions taken by the government.

"These forces have spread misinformation to such an extent that it is unbelievable. They did not even allow welfare schemes to be implemented in states where they are in power," he said, adding that the old system option was still open for farmers. "These are the same people who have been duping farmers for decades. The MSP was always announced but never implemented. Their mega schemes never reached the beneficiaries," he said.