Farm laws: Centre to send written proposal to farmers today after sixth round of talks called off
Opposition leaders are likely to meet President Ram Nath Kovind.
The Centre will send a written proposal to the protesting farmers on Wednesday detailing the scope of negotiations over the new agricultural laws. Leaders of farmer unions will meet at the Singhu border at noon to deliberate on the government’s proposal.
Opposition parties, on the other hand, are expected to meet President Ram Nath Kovind.
Meanwhile, the sixth round of talks between farmers and the central government was cancelled, after a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and farmer union heads on Tuesday evening failed to yield any breakthrough. The farmer leaders rejected the government’s offer to amend new farm laws, saying they would settle for nothing less than the scrapping of the legislations.
Farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the laws for nearly two months. The situation escalated 13 days ago, when thousands marched to the Capital, where they clashed with police who used tear gas, water cannons and batons against them. The farmers have since camped along Delhi borders, saying they won’t leave until the government rolls back what they have called the “black laws”.
Live updates
9.07 am: Congress leader P Chidambaram says the Centre’s refusal to repeal the agricultural laws shows that it is inspired by United States President Donald Trump’s policy of “Trumpism”, reports NDTV. In an interview with the channel, Chidambaram said: “This attitude of the government, I won’t consult anyone, I won’t consult the opposition...I will pass a law. If you force a vote, will ensure there is no vote in the house. There was no vote in the Rajya Sabha. This is known as Trumpism. Trumpism is the word that describes what the Modi government is doing.”
9.06 am: Farmer leaders claimed on Tuesday their Bharat Bandh against the new farm laws was successful and had an impact in 25 states, reports PTI. They said the “super bandh” made the government “open its eyes and ears”.
9.05 am: Farmers continue to camp near Delhi borders to protest the new agricultural laws for the 14th day.
Delhi: Farmers continue to camp at Singhu border (Haryana-Delhi border) to protest against the farm laws.
— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2020
Farmers' protest at Singhu border, against #FarmLaws, entered 14th day today. pic.twitter.com/1l1vp2t5fo
9.01 am: The Centre will send a written proposal to farmers, detailing the scope of negotiations over the new agricultural laws. Leaders of farmer unions will meet at the Singhu border at noon to deliberate on the government’s proposal.