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The three farm laws have been projected by the central government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country, in turn benefitting the farmers. However, the protesting farmers remain adamant on their demand of a complete rollback of the three laws. They have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price.
Here are the top developments:
Meeting of farmer unions today:
Farmers protesting against the three new agricultural laws will meet today to discuss the Centre’s latest offer for dialogue. A response to the letter by agriculture ministry which asked protestors to specify their concerns over its draft proposal of amendments to the three new laws, and settle on a convenient date for the meeting, is likely to be prepared.
Farmers from Maharashtra leave for Delhi to join protests:
Thousands of farmers from Maharashtra have left for Delhi from Nashik to join the ongoing agitation by cultivators seeking the repeal of three agrarian laws passed by the Centre. The farmers, who started off in private vehicles, were led by leaders of the Kisan Sabha. A Kisan Sabha leader said farmers from 21 districts in Maharashtra are on their way to Delhi.
Another Punjab farmer tried committing suicide at Singhu border:
As the protest of the farmers continues against the three farm bills, a 65-year-old farmer from Punjab tried to commit suicide by consuming poison at the Delhi-Haryana Singhu. Earlier, Sikh priest Baba Ram Singh committed suicide at Singhu border on December 16 by shooting himself.
'Sanyukt Kisan Morcha' appeals to Bihar farmers to join agitation:
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, which is protesting at the Delhi borders against the Centre's farm has appealed to the farmers in Bihar to join the agitation to get the benefit of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.