The farmer unions protesting along the borders of national capital Delhi, after a full general body meeting of Samyukt Kisan Morcha held today, rejected the proposal of the government to keep the farm reform laws on hold for one-and-a-half years. A full repeal of three laws and enacting legislation for remunerative MSP (minimum support price) for all farmers were reiterated as the pending demands of the movement, said SKM.
“Protesting farmer unions reject govt’s proposal to suspend three farm laws for 18 months,” said SKM in a statement.
“The SKM pays homage to the 143 farmers who have been martyred in this movement so far. These companions are separated from us while fighting this mass movement. Their sacrifice will not go in vain and we will not go back without the repealing of these farm laws,” the statement from the joint union of agitating farmers said.
Editor’s note: The death toll quoted by the SKM is disputed and not substantiated by any authoritative agency.
A full repeal of three central farm acts and enacting legislation for remunerative MSP for all farmers were reiterated as the pending demands of the movement of farmers predominantly from broker-infested Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
Farmer unions reiterated they will march with tractors on the outer ring road of Delhi on 26 January, the Republic Day.
“It has been decided that no proposal of government will be accepted until and unless they repeal the laws. In tomorrow’s meet (with government) we’ll say that we’ve only one demand, repeal the laws and legally authorise MSP. All these have been unanimously decided,” said farmer leader Joginder S. Ugrahan.
During their tenth round of negotiations with three central ministers on 20 January, the two sides decided to meet again tomorrow, 22 January.
Briefing media after a nearly five-hour-long meeting that included two breaks, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on yesterday said the government has proposed to suspend implementation of the three laws for 1-1.5 years, during which period a joint committee of representatives from the government and farmers’ sides can continue their talks and those protesting on Delhi borders in extremely cold weather return to their homes.
The Supreme Court has already put a stay on the three laws till further orders and a committee of experts has been formed to resolve the deadlock. The apex court asked the panel to submit its report within two months after consulting all stakeholders.
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