Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers’ protest LIVE updates: Govt willing to continue dialogue; MSP an administrative decision and will continue as it is: Agri Minister Tomar

The ongoing farmers’ agitation against Centre’s three contentious farm laws entered day 20 on Tuesday but there are no signs yet of the two sides-farm unions and the government reaching a common ground. On Monday, 40 farm union leaders observed hunger strike from 8am-5pm to “wake the government up,” while Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the Centre want the discussions on farm laws to be held “clause by clause.” However, the farm unions, who organised a peaceful Bharat Bandh last Tuesday against the laws, have repeatedly stressed they want nothing short of a total repeal, the government has made it clear it won’t take back the laws.Also Read | Will resume talks, but with some riders: Farmer unionsOn Monday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and workers of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), too, observed fast in solidarity with the protesting farmers. Minister Tomar, meanwhile, was met by as many as 10 farmer organisations from Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Bihar and Haryana. The organisations, associated with the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), extended their support to the farm laws. Also, Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, an ally of the Centre’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said both Union home minister Amit Shah and the agriculture minister are “continuously discussing the issue,” adding that the next round of discussions “will be held soon.” Five rounds of talks have taken place thus far, including on December 1, 3 and 5.Follow all live updates here:Kerala govt to move Supreme Court against farm laws soonKerala agriculture minister VS Sunil Kumar said that the state government will approach the Supreme Court against the farm laws as soon as possible. He told ANI that the government is trying to utilise the provision of 304(B) of the Constitution under which the states have the right to make their own enactment in the state assemblies.Government willing to continue talks with genuine farm unions; MSP will continue as it is: TomarAs a standoff continue between the government and groups of protesting farmers over three new farm laws, agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday said the Acts have been welcomed in various states across the country but the Centre is willing to continue its talks with “genuine farm unions” to find a solution with an open mind.Talk to farmers and re-enact the farm laws: P Chidambaram to govtTaking to Twitter, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday said, ‘It is shocking that after 20 days of farmers’ protests in the bitter winter of Delhi, the government continues to stick to the ‘no repeal’ stand. It is obvious that any agreement between farmers and government will necessarily require a new Bill to be passed in Parliament. The simple way forward is to Repeal the present laws and Re-enact a new law based on the agreement Repeal and Re-enactment is a well known legislative toolGovernment should climb down from its high horse and reach an agreement with the farmers quicklyFarmers to observe Homage Day on December 20Farmers’ unions to observe a Homage Day (Shraddhanjali Diwas) on December 20 for all the farmers who lost their lives during the ongoing protest. It’ll be observed in villages and tehsil headquarters across the country in the day from 11am to 1pm.More rallies planned in Kolkata, Manipur, Mumbai and Patna Farmers’ unions have planned protest rallies in Kolkata on 16th December, Manipur on 19th December, Mumbai on 22nd December. and Patna on 29th December.Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says Mandis will remain operational.“Mandis will remain operational. No mandi will close. We will improve the infrastructure and system of mandis. But even if someone sells (their produce), outside the mandi, we will provide them license. Farmers can sell at the mandi or outside it, as they want”: MP CM in BhopalJaipur-Delhi national highway remains partially blockedThe Jaipur-Delhi national highway in Rajasthan’s Alwar district remained partially blocked as the farmers continues to protest against the farm laws.Congress workers stage a protest outside BJP headquarter demanding repeal of farm lawsGovt has to pay heed to our demands: Farmers“We are not running away from negotiation, but govt has to pay heed to our demands and come forward with concrete proposals,” say farmer leaders. Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar meets members of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kisan) Conspiracy going on in Delhi to confuse farmers: PM Modi “A conspiracy is going on around Delhi to confuse farmers. They are being scared that after the new agri reforms the land of farmers will be occupied by others. Tell me, if a dairy has a contract of collecting milk from you, do they take away your cattle too?” PM Modi also said.Agriculture reforms exactly farmers, opposition asking for years: PM Modi“The agriculture reforms that have taken place are exactly what farmer bodies and even Opposition have been asking over the years. Government of India is always committed to farmer welfare & we will keep assuring the farmers and addressing their concerns,” says PM Narendra Modi in Kutch.Farmers protesting at Chilla border again block one carriagewayFarmers protesting at Chilla border (Delhi-Noida link road)blocked one carriageway going towards Delhi from Noida, days after they opened the road. Many cars carrying farmers from Noida, arrived at Chilla border and tried to march towards Delhi through the carriageway. However, the security personnel quickly responded to the situation and blocked the vehicles of the protesting farmers.The sudden blockade at the border, has also led to huge traffic jam on the carriageway going towards Delhi from Noida. Many motorists also found themselves stuck in the jam and in between the vehicles of the farmers.Industry body ASSOCHAM urges for early resolutionASSOCHAM releases statement, calls for early resolution , says protests resulting in daily loss of Rs 3,000-3,500 crore. ASSOCHAM calls for early resolution of farmers' issues, states, "farmers' protest resulting in a daily loss of Rs 3500 crores" pic.twitter.com/Hd3MiV7sheBKU’s Rakesh Tikait says government should visit villages and hold meetings“Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is also a farmer. At what rate was his farm produce sold, was it sold at MSP? Did he suffer loss or earned profit?...The government should visit villages and hold meeting,” says Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait.Have information Ambani and Adani groups registered 53 new agro-based companies, claims Congress MP“I have information that Adani & Ambani groups registered 53 new agro-based companies in the last few months. We’ll continue our protest till the farmers are not heard,” says Congress MP from Punjab, JS Gill.Rapid Action force deployed at Delhi-Haryana Singhu borderRapid Action Force (RAF) and additional forces deployed at Delhi-Haryana Singhu border as anti-farm law protests enter day 20. Delhi: Rapid Action Force (RAF) & additional forces deployed at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border as farmers' protest enters 20th day pic.twitter.com/vvfdNlhubcSit-in protest at Rajasthan-Haryana border continues for third straight dayFarmers sit-in protest at Jaisinghpur-Khera border (Rajasthan-Haryana) continues for the third day today. Rajasthan: Farmers sit-in protest at Jaisinghpur-Khera border (Rajasthan-Haryana) continues for the third day today#FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/7vvebld7HbGadkari says will talk to farmers if directed to talk to themNitin Gadkari further says that though agriculture and commerce ministers are engaged in a dialogue with the farmers, he, too, will talk to the farmers if told to talk to them.Our government will convince the farmers, says Gadkari“Our Government will convince the farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue,” says Nitin Gadkari. Our Government will convince the farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari https://t.co/LmgOjFjoY9Some ‘elements’ trying to misguide farmers, says Union minister Nitin Gadkari“There are some elements who are trying to misguide farmers by misusing this protest. This is wrong. Farmers should try to understand the three laws,” Union minister Nitin Gadkari tells news agency ANI. There are some elements who are trying to misguide farmers by misusing this protest. This is wrong. Farmers should try to understand the three laws: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari https://t.co/qERXVgn9sd‘Why should protests take place in the US, Canada and London?’: Union minister G Kishan Reddy“Why should demonstrations take place in America, Canada and London in support of protests happening in India? Who is behind this? Some people want to carry out anti-India activities by misusing your (farmers) name. I request farmers to remain vigilant,”says MoS (Home) G Kishan Reddy.

Hindustan Times

15-12-2020

India