Farmers Reject Govt's Proposal To Temporarily Pause Farm Laws For 1.5 Yrs; Reiterate Demand Of Full Repeal

It was for the first time when farmers did not reject the government's proposal and sought time to discuss it. But after the internal meeting, they rejected it demanding a complete repeal of three agri laws.

New Delhi: In a full general body meeting of Samyukt Kisan Morcha today, the proposal put forth by the union government was rejected. Longstanding demands of a full repeal of 3 agrarian laws and enacting legislation for remunerative MSP for all farmers were reiterated.

The proposal put forward yesterday by the government was rejected by the General body meeting of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. It was the first time when farmers did not reject the government's proposal in one go and sought time to discuss it. But after the internal meeting, they refused to come on board with it while once again demanding a complete repeal of three agri laws.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha also paid homage to the 147 farmers who attained "martyrdom" while participating in the agitation. "Their sacrifice will not go in vain," their statement read.

The tenth round of talks between Centre and the farmers' representatives concluded on Wednesday evening after 5 hours and the government offered to amend the three contentious farm laws but farmer leaders said they were adamant on their demand for a complete repeal of the legislation and also alleged that the Centre was avoiding discussion on a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).

While speaking to reporters after the meeting, a farmer leader had said that the government proposed to keep the three agrarian laws suspended for a fixed time period of one and half years or so and form a committee comprising of farmer union leaders and government representatives.

The government delegation, headed by Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, said that the laws would not be implemented till the committee gives its report and urged farmer unions to suspend their agitation till that time. The proposal, however, did not find any support from the farm leaders.

Farmers plan to hold a tractor rally on Republic Day as a massive show of strength in their ongoing agitation against the agrarian laws.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha informed that farmers in Bilaspur and Rampur are preparing for the big day. The Chhattisgarh farmers plan to cordon the Raj Bhavan on January 23 and a batch will also head towards the national capital.