Farmers' protest highlights: 'No one was consulted', says Chidambaram on farm laws

The Maharashtra Congress will "gherao" Raj Bhavan in Nagpur today to demand the withdrawal of the Centre's new farm laws and protest against fuel price hikes. Yesterday, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar urged farmer unions to form an informal group among themselves to prepare concrete proposals to be discussed in the next meeting as discussions at the ninth round of talks could not reach a decisive stage. The two sides decided to meet again on January 19 at 12 pm. The Supreme Court on January 11 had stayed the implementation of the three laws till further orders and appointed a four-member panel to resolve the impasse. Stay tuned for more updates.

Agri laws akin to 'death warrant', says farmer leader

Farmer leader Poonam Pandit here on Saturday described the agriculture laws enacted by the Centre as a “death warrant” and urged farmers to reach Delhi on January 26.

The farmer leader said this addressing a “Kisan Mahapanchayat” in the Banda area of Shahjahanpur, which according to police was held without permission and amid the imposition of prohibitory orders.

(PTI)

NITI Aayog refuses to provide CMs' panel report on amending new farm laws

A Prime Minister-appointed committee of Chief Ministers is claimed to have "recommended" amending the Essential Commodities Act, one of the controversial laws against which farmers protesting, and other farm reforms. But, NITI Aayog has refused to provide a copy of the report citing that it has not been placed before its Governing Council yet for an "appraisal" of all Chief Ministers.

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No one was consulted, govt must agree to start on 'clean slate': Chidambaram on farm laws impasse

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday hit out at the Centre over the impasse on the farm laws, alleging that "no one" was consulted for the legislations, and asserted that the only way out for the government was to agree to start on a "clean slate".

His remarks came a day after the Centre asked protesting farmers to form an informal group to prepare a concrete proposal about their objections and suggestions on the farm laws for further discussion at their next meeting on January 19 to end the long-running protest at various Delhi borders.

(PTI)

Rashtriya Kisan Manch president expresses resentment over govt's 'indifferent' attitude

"Step-motherly treatment being given to farmers may become counterproductive as the farmers know how to withdraw support to the BJP-led government," he said while talking to reporters here. Dixit said due to the "indifferent attitude" of the government, farmers are being forced to protest in the chilly weather. He said the government is using "lingering tactics" to break the morale of the farmers.

(PTI)

Remove remaining members of panel on farm laws, select new people: Farmer union in SC

A farmer union requested the Supreme Court on Saturday to remove the remaining three members of the committee it had set up to resolve the impasse over the three contentious farm laws, and select people who can do the job "on the basis of mutual harmony".

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400 farmers from Kerala join protest against agri laws

Around 400 farmers from Kerala have joined the ongoing agitation near the Rajasthan-Haryana border against three new farm laws. A group of farmers from Kerala came to Alwar's Shahjahanpur on Friday to participate in the sit-in launched by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha against the Centre's farm laws, former CPI (M) MLA Amra Ram said.

He said the farmers are protesting on a 3-km stretch of the highway, which has one service lane opened for locals. "The farmers are protesting under intense cold conditions but the Centre is not bothered," he added.

Farmers agitating against new farm laws observe Kisan Sena Diwas at Delhi-Noida border, in Noida. Credit: PTI.

There'll be consequences of farm protests, Sharad Pawar warns Centre

It was required of any sensible government to understand the sentiments of farmers agitating against the Centre's new laws, but it didn't happen and so there will be consequences of the same, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Friday.

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Maharashtra Congress to protest against Centre's farm laws on Saturday

The Maharashtra Congress will "gherao" Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on Saturday to demand withdrawal of the Centre's new farm laws and protest against fuel price hikes, state unit chief Balasaheb Thorat said on Friday.

He said the party will observe the day as 'Kisan Adhikar Divas' across the state.

"@INCMaharashtra workers will 'Gherao' the Raj Bhavan in Nagpur to demand that the draconian farm laws be repealed and also to protest against the frequent fuel price hikes being done by the Modi govt," Thorat tweeted. -PTI

Good morning readers, welcome to DH's live coverage of the farmers' protests

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at various border points of Delhi for over a month and a half now, despite the cold weather and heavy rains, to demand the repeal of the three farm laws.