Protesting farmers have accepted the government's offer for talks over the farm laws that are at the heart of agitation. According to reports, 36 farmers unions will take part in the talks with the Centre at the Vigyan Bhavan in the national capital at 3 pm. The Centre had on Monday invited protesting farmers for talks to end the stalemate over the three farm laws as they continue their agitation at Delhi border points against the government's new laws.
Meanwhile, the government has made it clear that it will not take back the three farm laws, instead its representatives will attempt to dispel their concerns over the laws.
Thousands of farmers are camping at Delhi borders for the last five days to lodge their protest against the three farm laws. Farmers fear that the new farm laws will dismantle the minimum support price system and corporatise the agriculture sector.
"Keeping in view the cold and COVID-19, we have invited leaders of farmer unions for discussion much before the scheduled December 3 meeting," Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told PTI on Monday.
In another related development, the government has named a panel comprising three Union ministers -- Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, and Railways minister Piyush Goyal to hold the talks.
The government's invitation from the Center on Monday came after consultations among senior BJP leaders over the ways to reach farmers' leaders. "Now, the meeting has been called at 3 pm on December 1 at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital," Tomar said, adding those leaders who were present in the meeting held on November 13 have been invited this time.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal has also written to representatives of 32 farmer unions, including the Krantikari Kisan Union, Jammuhari Kisan Sabha, Bhartiya Kisan Sabha (Dakauda), Kul Hind Kisan Sabha, Kriti Kisan Union and Punjab Kisan Union, inviting them for discussion on December 1.
The November 13 meeting was inconclusive and the Union Agriculture Ministry had invited them for a second round of discussion on December 3 to resolve their concerns about new farm laws.
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