The farmers, on the other hand, are adamant on their demand and want the Centre to guarantee them that their produce will be procured at MSP.
Farmers Protest Today Live Updates: The Centre will today hold the fourth round of talks with the leaders of farmer unions to discuss specific provisions in the three farm laws that the peasants have a problem with. The Centre had met the leaders on Tuesday and asked them to prepare a list of what they felt were against their interests. The Centre will discuss those points in detail with farmers today.
Ahead of this planned meeting, Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, in an interview on Wednesday, said that he did see any requirement of putting the minimum support price in laws. He said MSP was never part of the laws. It is an administrative decision and will remain so, the union minister said.
The farmers, on the other hand, are adamant on their demand and want the Centre to guarantee them that their produce will be procured at MSP. They want this in writing in laws.
Highlights
The Delhi Police has intensified its security arrangements and suggested alternative routes to commuters entering or exiting the city. The agitating farmers had on Wednesday demanded that the Centre convene a special session of Parliament and repeal the farm laws as they threatened to block other roads in Delhi and "take more steps" if it failed to do so. A crucial round of talks between the Centre and the representatives of protesting farmers is scheduled to be held later in the day. In a series of tweets, the Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday alerted commuters about the closure of Singhu, Lampur, Auchandi, Chilla and other borders in view of the farmers protest. It, however, said those wanting to travel to Haryana can take Dhansa, Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders. "Singhu border is still closed from both sides. Lampur, Auchandi & other small borders also closed. Please take alternative routes. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba Chowk & GTK Road," the city traffic police tweeted. It also advised commuters to avoid Noida Link road and instead use NH 24 and DND as the Chilla border on Noida Link road remained closed for traffic. "Tikri, Jharoda Borders are closed for any Traffic Movement. Badusarai Border is open only for Light Motor Vehicle like Cars and two wheelers. Jhatikara Border is open only for two wheeler traffic," it said in another tweet. (PTI)
We are talking to the farmers to end the blockade here as this is a major route to Delhi. We are hopeful that the roadway will be opened soon: Abhishek Verma, SP City at Ghazipur border (Delhi-UP)
It is time now that the "non-farmer" section of the society join peasants in their protest against the three farm laws, said agriculture expert-journalist P Sainath, arguing that the Centre made a "bad miscalculation" in passing these legislations amid the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking at a virtual press conference organised by various civil groups to express their solidarity for the farmers movement, Sainath said trade unions and workers had already shown the way during their "massive strike where lakhs and lakhs of workers endorsed the demands of the farmers". "We thought it is time now that the other non-farmer classes of society stand up and be counted," he said. "The workers have already shown us the way and it is time for us to be counted and we have to be counted as standing for the unconditional repeal of these three laws."
Hundreds of farmers are staying put at Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over various demands, including the repeal of the three contentious new legislations. They have expressed apprehension that the laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates. Sainath termed the decision of the Centre to introduce the laws amid the pandemic a "bad miscalculation". "The reason was simple. They believed that if you could smash through these laws at this time, all these guys, the farmers, the workers will be in no position to organise and resist. It was really a bad miscalculation," he explained. (PTI)
No outside person is allowed to interfere in India's internal matters, one of the agitating farmer leaders said about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's support to protest against the Centre's farm laws. At a press conference on Singhu border near Delhi, Madhya Pradesh-based farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakkaji said the agitation would continue till the government withdrew all three farm laws. "No outside person is allowed to interfere in India's internal issues," he said when asked by Trudeau's support to the farmers protest. He, however, welcomed the Canadian prime minister's concern for the farmers. "They are worried about our issues and we welcome that," he said.
Trudeau had on Monday backed the agitating farmers in India, saying Canada would always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests. "The situation is concerning and we are all very worried about family and friends and I know that is a reality for many of you," Trudeau said while speaking at an online event to mark the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. (PTI)
Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar leaves from his residence. He is scheduled to meet farmer leaders today.
Farmers continue their protest against Centre's farm laws, at Delhi's Gazipur border with Uttar Pradesh.
Tikri, Jharoda Borders are closed for any Traffic Movement.
Badusarai Border is open only for Light Motor Vehicle like Cars and two wheelers.
Jhatikara Border is open only for two wheeler traffic
The Centre is trying to divide the farmers. We won't attend any meeting called by the Government until PM Modi doesn't hold a meeting with leaders of all 507 farmers' unions: SS Subhran, Joint Secy, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab
The government will hold point by point discussion with the farmers to reach a solution. The government will hold talks with farmers with an open heart in the interest of the nation: Som Prakash, MoS, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Farmers protests: Heavy security deployment continues at Singhu border with Haryana. A delegation of farmers will meet Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today.
Farmers protests: We are hopeful that the meeting will be successful. The aim of holding a dialogue is to find a solution, says Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on meeting with farmers.
Farmers protests: Farmers' leaders depart from Singhu border for their meeting the government on farm laws. A farmer leader says, "35 leaders are going to meet the government. We are educated farmers, we know what is good for us. We want these laws to be withdrawn."