Farmers Movement Archive

PM Modi’s invite: Unions want concessions first

AMRITSAR: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to the farmers for the 12th round of talks to end the stalemate on agri-marketing laws, the protest leaders ask the government to first make a “conducive atmosphere” by accepting a few demands. Camping on the Delhi border, Zamhauri Kisan Sabha state president of Satnam Singh Ajnala told TOI on Tuesday: “We expect the government to at least make a specific law on minimum support price (MSP) and announce the same before the next meeting. As another big step towards winning the hearts and the confidence of the farmers, consider ending their punishment for stubble burning and accept their objections on the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020.” Ajnala said the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha had not received any written invitation to the next round of talks, even though the SKM will meet on Wednesday. Reacting to the proposal of a few protest leaders to think over the 18-month suspension of the three laws and make a committee to discuss its aspects, he said: “A death sentence is a death sentence, whether delivered now or later.” Gurbachan Singh Chaba of the Kisan Mazdur Sangharsh Committee said: “We aren’t in favor of even contemplating the government's proposal of suspension of the agri-marketing laws. “The farmers are in ‘chardi kalan’ (high spirits), our morcha is gaining strength, and realising our power, the government is trying to lure us with offers. We’ll not settle for anything less than a repeal of these laws.”

The Times of India

2021-02-10

Amritsar