Farmers Movement Archive

Centre insists on clause by clause talks with unions

NEW DELHI/BATHINDA: The Centre on Friday told farm unions opposed to the new farm laws that the talks would need to take up a clause-by-clause discussion to zero in on areas where changes could be made, rather than dwelling on the blanket demand that the three legislations be scrapped. Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar told the unions it was incorrect to say the Centre had not budged on the demands put forward by them, pointing to the proposed amendments that had been sent to them. On the other hand, the unions kept insisting on repeal of all the three laws without discussing specific objections, he claimed. The discussion was cordial and though there was no breakthrough, the two sides will meet again on January 19. Both heard each other out with the government saying it would be part of the Supreme Court-initiated process though it would be best to find solutions to mutual satisfaction. Union representatives expressed their desire to arrive at solutions through “direct dialogue” with the Centre. Though the Centre had previously sought a clause-by-clause discussion, Tomar was much more insistent on Friday, indicating the talks could not progress unless this was done, said an official source. The unions sought to take up their demand for a legal guarantee for MSP, and though there was some discussion on it, the government said the priorities set out by the farm representatives listed ‘repeal of laws’ at the very top. The farmers said the Supreme Court had authenticated their concerns by staying implementation of the laws and hence the government must accept that the laws are not right and should agree to repeal them. Tomar responded, saying since the court had in effect suspended the laws, a condition set by the unions had been met and the laws should now be discussed threadbare. Farmer leaders Darshan Pal and Jagmohan Singh said Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal had come prepared for the Essential Commodities Act. He touched upon many of its salient features, including the state of FCI. "However, we raised objections on having no stock limit for value chain and processors but limits only for farmers. The ministers announced that they would redefine the Act, but we asked them to keep intact the previous 1955 Act," Pal said. BKU (Ugrahan) President Joginder Singh Ugrahan said, "We raised questions over NIA sending notices to transporters, who are supporting the farmers’ struggle and harassment of people who are financially supporting families whose bread-winners have died during protests. We stated that by using the central agency, the government wanted to scare away those supporting the struggle." Tomar suggested that the next meeting be preceded by a discussion between the Centre and a smaller group with the details then shared with the 40-odd unions which are attending talks with Tomar and Goyal. There was no agreement on this and some farm leaders kept calling for repeal of the laws, saying there was nothing else to talk about. Since the farm unions do not want to join the Supreme Court-driven process by appearing before a committee it has set up, they did listen to what government had to say on certain issues including its point on one of the least contentious farm laws - Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act - where it sought to know the real problem areas, if any. “The unions said the ongoing movement has nothing to do with Sikhs for Justice (a banned US-based pro-Khalistan group) and therefore, there should be no projection from the government's side that they are involved (in the farmers’ protests),” said Kavitha Kuruganti of Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch after attending the talks. Besides bringing up their core demands - repeal of laws and legal guarantee to MSP - on the table during the meeting, the farm representatives also raised an issue of alleged police repression on people associated with the ongoing protests and urged the government side to look at the matter. In what could be a step towards taking confidence-building measure, Tomar is learnt to have promised to look at this issue through a proper mechanism. Tomar, at one point asked when exactly the protests will be called off and what was the point in discussing MSP when the repeal agenda was the key demand. The union leaders said both (repeal of laws and legal guarantee to MSP) were “equally important” demands, and the next meeting's agenda would be fixed on both these points, and not just one or the other. Tomar then suggested the farmer leaders to make an informal group among themselves, if they wish, and come up with a written proposal and legal points in the next meeting to find a “way forward” through point-wise discussion. He told the union leaders that each state in the country has different circumstances and a lot of farmers across the country support these new farm laws. “Talks with farmers unions today (Friday) were not decisive...We are, however, positive to reach a solution through talks. The government is concerned about the farmers protesting in cold conditions,” said Tomar after the meeting. On the issue of Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, there was a discussion on particular provisions as well as the general direction of the amendments. Goyal is learnt to have defended certain amendments. Though he elaborated on how this Act will benefit the agriculture sector and farmers, he agreed that some changes can be made in that Act.

The Times of India

2021-01-16

India