Farmers Protest, Day 30: Despite Centre's Discussion Offer, Agitators Throw Open Toll Plaza Gates | 10 Points

With the protest entering 30th straight day on Friday, the farmers have hardened their stance again, while the Centre continues to back the laws.

Image: PTI

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and several other states have been protesting in the national capital since November 26 against the three farm bills enacted by the centre in September. Despite five rounds of talks between the government and farmer unions, there has not been any headway till date. With the protest entering 30th straight day on Friday, the farmers have hardened their stance again, while the Centre continues to back the laws.

30th Day of Farmers' Protest: 10 Latest Developments

1. Intensifying their protest on various borders of the national capital, the farmers on the 30th day of agitation took over several toll plazas in Haryana allowing free movement of vehicles on Friday morning.
2. According to the reports, the agitators forcefully lifted the barricades of Bastara toll plaza at Karnal on National Highway 44, Gullarpur toll plaza on Assandh-Karnal highway and the Thana toll plaza on Hisar-Chandigarh highway.
3. Farmers have said they will hold peaceful protests at all the toll plazas for the next three days.
4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with farmers of six states and released Rs 18,000 crore as the next instalment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to over 9 crore farmers.
5. During the interaction with the farmers from various states, Prime Minister Modi said, due to our commitment towards farmers, we are ready for discussions on all their issues with an open mind. Our government is ready to talk to those opposing us as long as the discussion is based on facts. Only an 'Atmanirbhar' farmer can lay the foundation for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'
6. In his address to the farmers, PM attacked opposition parties including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The farmers of Bengal have been deprived of the benefits of the Centre's schemes. Bengal is the only state which is not allowing benefits of the schemes to reach the farmers, Prime Minister said.
7. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that there has been misconception that Minimum Support Price will end. Prime Minister has said & I'll also give my word that MSP won't end. He also appealed to farmers to try the three new farm laws as an "experiment" for a year or two and in case they are found not beneficial for the farming community, the government will do all necessary amendments.
8. In another major development, a group of seven influential US lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, have written to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, urging him to raise the issue of farmers' protest in India with his Indian counterpart.
9. The Centre on Thursday invited protesting farmer unions again for resumption of the stalled talks and asked them to choose a date of their convenience to end the impasse over the three new Agri laws.
10. But the farmer unions alleged that the government's latest letter for talks is nothing but a propaganda against the peasants to create an impression they are not interested in dialogue.