Talks between farmers and Centre remain inconclusive despite nine rounds of discussion

The next round of discussions is scheduled for January 19 at 12 noon

Agitating farmers and the Modi government on Friday failed to break the deadlock over concerns on the farm laws in their first meeting after the Supreme Court stayed the reforms, but agreed to continue their talks on Tuesday.

At Friday’s meeting – the ninth round of talks – Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar urged the farmers’ unions to adopt a flexible approach and form a small informal group amongst them to draft concrete proposals for the next round of talks.

“The meeting was inconclusive as we kept demanding repeal of the three laws and the government representatives kept making proposals for amendments,” Darshan Pal, leader of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, which has been spearheading the agitation on Delhi borders said.

Also Read | PM Modi doesn't respect farmers, talks are govt's delaying tactics: Rahul Gandhi

The ninth round of talks continued for five hours at the Vigyan Bhawan and Tomar said the government was ready to talk with the farmers even though the Supreme Court had appointed a separate committee.

“Unions want to continue the dialogue with the government and we have no problem with that. The Supreme Court-appointed panel will also work for the welfare of farmers,” he said.

Tomar said the government would also present its views to the Supreme Court-appointed committee when invited.

The minister said that a solution can emerge from the government-farmers talks, as well as, from the SC-appointed panel’s deliberations.

Also Read | Farmers reject Supreme Court panel, stick to repeal of farm laws

“Our effort is to resolve the issue through dialogue and we want the protest to end at the earliest given the adverse weather conditions and the Covid-19 pandemic situation,” he said.

Pal said the farmers have already rejected the committee and also announced going ahead with the Kisan Parade in the national capital on Republic Day.

“We do not intend to harm the government’s Republic Day parade. We will discuss the matter at our meeting on Sunday and come out with detailed plans after the Supreme Court hearing on January 18,” Pal said.