'Let's See To What Extent Issues Can Be Resolved': Govt Ahead Of Round 2 Talks With Farmers Amid Deadlock

Despite Central government's attempt to put and end to the deadlock, talks between farmer union leaders and the government ended inconclusively.

Union Agriculure Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in a meeting with Bharatiya Kisan Union leaders on farmers' issues. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: The ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest march by farmers against the three contentious farms bills on Tuesday entered its seventh day on Wednesday as the agitators at the Delhi borders remained unmoved even after Centre's attempt to initiate talks and affirmed to continue their demonstration till their demands are met. Farmers from Punjab and Haryana continued to protest peacefully at the Delhi-Haryana Tikri border. Despite Central government's attempt to put and end to the deadlock, talks between farmer union leaders and the government ended inconclusively. The government has decided to again call the farmers for a meeting on December 3. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who led yesterday's talks with the agitating farmers, today said that the government will hold discussions with farmers tomorrow. "We will hold discussions with farmers' leaders tomorrow. Let's see to what extent issues can be resolved," Tomar said. He once again reiterated that the newly implemented agrarian laws are in the interest of the farmers.

We will hold discussions with farmers' leaders tomorrow. Let's see to what extent issues can be resolved: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar pic.twitter.com/iT7Tf5j8ct

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2020

"I appeal to the farmers that the laws are in their interest and the reforms have been done after a long wait, but if they have any objection to it then we are ready to address their concerns," Tomar said.

I appeal to the farmers that the laws are in their interest and the reforms have been done after a long wait, but if they have any objection to it then we are ready to address their concerns: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2020

Meanwhile, number of protesters swelled at Delhi border points on Wednesday. Police stepped up security after thousands blocked key gateways into the national capital for the seventh day on the trot, leaving commuters facing a harrowing time. Among the five border points blocked are Singhu, the main access point for those entering Delhi from Punjab, Tikri, Ghazipur and Chilla. The protest at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipur intensified, leading to the closure of a key route connecting the national capital with Uttar Pradesh. At the Chilla Border, which connects Delhi with Noida, more farmers from Firozabad, Meerut, Noida and Etawah started gathering, prompting the authorities to close the key road stretch for the second consecutive day. Farm leaders met Union ministers on Tuesday evening, but the two sides failed to break the deadlock. The next round of talks is scheduled to be held on Thursday. Farmer unions say the three new laws will lead to the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving farmers at the mercy of corporate houses. But the government says the MSP system will continue and the new laws will give farmers more options to sell their crop.