Agriculture Laws: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting with representatives of different farmers' unions at Vigyan Bhavan here. During the seven-hour meeting, the two sides heard each other's stance and tried to arrive at a solution to restore rail service in Punjab.
The meeting lasted several hours on Friday between farmer leaders and organizations opposing the Agricultural Laws and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal. During this time, with the withdrawal of agricultural laws, the farmers also made many demands. After the meeting, Narendra Singh Tomar said that it has become clear that it is difficult to reconcile between the demands of farmer leaders and the state of the government. This issue cannot be resolved immediately. I requested him to have such a discussion and I am thankful that he came.
In the meeting, it became clear that their demands & govt's position are far from a point of reconciliation & can't be resolved immediately. I'm thankful that they came & I have requested them for more such discussions: Union Agriculture Minister on meeting with farmer leaders https://t.co/5mjyspqWlf pic.twitter.com/TNFK5T4qwZ
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2020
The meeting lasted for 7 hours without end
According to sources, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting with representatives of different farmers' unions at Vigyan Bhavan here. During the seven-hour meeting, the two sides heard each other's stance and tried to arrive at a solution to restore rail service in Punjab. Rail service is currently disrupted in Punjab. Jathedar Buta Singh Shadipur, head of the Bharatiya Kisan Manch, told PTI-language after the meeting, "The meeting was inconclusive and after listening to our side, the ministers said that they will meet again soon to resolve the issue."
He said that the farmer's associations want the restoration of goods trains in Punjab which are closed due to blockade. In Punjab, the rail service is closed due to the agitation of farmers regarding three new agricultural laws. However, the central government wants to end the blockade and start passenger and goods train service. The farmers' union will meet in Chandigarh on 18 November in which further strategy will be discussed on the issue. Sources said that both sides were adamant on their stand on the new agricultural laws. He said that ministers and government officials tried to explain to the farmer leaders why these laws are important and how beneficial they are for the agriculture sector.
However, farmers are adamant on its stance that these acts should be canceled and their place will be more consultations with stakeholders, including others should be replaced with the new legislation. The farmers also demanded a guarantee of MSP. Government sources said that a detailed presentation was made at the procurement level but no consensus could be reached as the farmers union remained firm on its stand.