Farmers' Protest LIVE Updates: Tenth Round of Talks Underway Between Farmer Leaders and Centre

Protesting farmers at the Singhu border here have started a facility for ironing washed garments to dry them faster as the natural process now takes longer than usual amid the cold weather in and…

Recap | On January 11, the Supreme Court had stayed the implementation of the three laws till further orders and appointed a four-member panel to resolve the impasse.

Nearly 17-18 lakh farmers have sold their produce. BJP is protesting... those who don't believe in the system may protest or those who couldn't sell their produce. The ones who have sold paddy and received the money shouldn't protest: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.

Update | Farmers oppose NIA notices, as the Union ministers say they will probe it. Government sticks to the decision of agri reforms while farmers demand the laws to be repealed.  

The meeting between the farmer unions and the government halts for a break. No outcome from the discussion so far. 

Recap | In the last round of talks, the government had asked protesting farmers to prepare a concrete proposal about their objections and suggestions on the three farm laws for further discussion at their next meeting to end the long-running protest. But, unions stuck to their main demand of a complete repeal of the three Acts.

The standoff between the farmers and the Centre continues as the government is not willing to discuss the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) without resolving Agenda 1 i.e repeal of the agri laws. This is the same position that the govt took in the last meeting with the farmer unions.

In discussion with government, farmer unions raise the issue of NIA notices again. The repeal of the three agri laws is being discussed.

Discussion on farm reforms started between Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, State Commerce Minister Som Prakash and representatives of around 40 farmer unions at the Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.

Farmer Dies After Consuming Poisonous Substance at Tikri Border | A farmer who allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at the Tikri border died during treatment at a hospital here on Wednesday, police said. The deceased has been identified as Jai Bhagwan Rana (42), a resident of Pakasma village in Rohtak district of Haryana. He had consumed Sulphas tablets at the farmers' protest site at Tikri on Tuesday, they said. In a purported suicide note, Rana said he was a small farmer and many peasants have taken to the streets to protest against the Centre's new farm laws. "The government says it is a matter of only two to three states, but farmers from all over the country are protesting against the laws. Sadly, it is not a movement now, but a fight of issues. The talks between the farmers and the Centre also remain deadlocked," he wrote in the letter. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) A Koan said the man was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital by CAT ambulance where he passed away during the course of treatment.

Pictures from the ongoing meeting: 

The tenth round of talks between farmer unions and the Centre over the three farm laws begins at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. https://t.co/oqPjGpHgyu pic.twitter.com/XrpvrwWxKy

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2021

Alert | The meeting between the government and farm unions has started.

किसान प्रतिनिधियों के साथ कृषि अधिनियमों पर आधारित चर्चा हेतु माननीय कृषि एवं किसान कल्याण मंत्री श्री नरेंद्र सिंह तोमर, माननीय रेल और वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री श्री पीयूष गोयल का विज्ञान भवन में आगमन।#AatmaNirbharKrishi #FarmActs2020@nstomar @PiyushGoyal @SomParkashBJP pic.twitter.com/llQIj0YYes

— Agriculture INDIA (@AgriGoI) January 20, 2021

Tomar, Goyal Reach Vigyan Bhawan for Meet With Farmers | Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Union Minister Piyush Goyal have reached Vigyan Bhawan to meet with the representatives of farmers protesting against the Centre's agri reforms.

Congress Workers in Karnataka Stage Rally | A large number of Congress workers and farmers on Wednesday descended on the city to protest the contentious farm laws of the Centre and condemn the hike in fuel prices. Commuters faced a harrowing time due to traffic snarls caused by agitations at various places. Elaborate security arrangements were made in view of the anti-farmers law protests called by the Congress and roads barricaded. Following a call given by Congress state chief D K Shivakumar to lay siege to the Raj Bhavan here, party workers arrived from various parts of the state. They have planned to stage protests and later submit a memorandum to Governor Vajubhai Vala. Before heading to the protest venue at freedom park, Congress state chief D K Shivakumar accused the state government of stopping the protesters from reaching the state capital. "I have been receiving calls saying the police have been stopping farmers and Congress workers since last night," Shivakumar alleged in a video message. He appealed to those who were prevented from proceeeding to the city, to hold protest by blocking the highways.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday mounted a strong defence of the committee appointed by it to help resolve the ongoing farmers' protest even as it issued a notice to the Centre for its reconstitution…

Meeting Between Police and Farmers Over | The meeting between farmer leaders protesting against Centre's agri reforms, and the Delhi police, is now over.

Protesting Farmers Start Facility for Ironing Clothes at Singhu Border | Protesting farmers at the Singhu border here have started a facility for ironing washed garments to dry them faster as the natural process now takes longer than usual amid the cold weather in and around Delhi. Sarvan Singh, whose livelihood as an auto-rickshaw driver in Amritsar took a hit as he is helping run the service for the protesting farmers, said it was necessary to be part of the movement even though his children want him back home. "After the rains we realised that while the clothes were getting washed, they were taking really long to dry. So we thought getting a couple of irons would solve the problem," he said. Singh arrived at the Singhu border protest site a week ago. "This protest is for everybody, and I wanted to help in whatever way we can, so when we realised that there was a need for ironing facility, we decided to fill the gap," he added. The service is being run from a stall at the protest site with three-four men working for over 10 hours daily in four-hour shifts. Currently they have two irons and as many ironing tables, but they are hoping to get more. Power is supplied from an electricity tower located on the highway, right opposite where they have set shop. "We have paid for these irons and tables from our own pockets, but it would help if we manage to get more supply," Sarvan Singh said.

Centre Withdraws Plea Seeking Injunction Against Farmer Rally on Jan 26 | The Centre Wednesday withdrew its plea seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor rally on January 26 by farmers protesting against the new farms laws after the Supreme Court said "it is a police matter". The police has the "authority" to deal with the issue pertaining to the proposed tractor march in Delhi on the Republic Day, said a bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian. "We have told you that we will not issue any direction. It is a police matter. We will allow you to withdraw. You are the authority and you have to deal with it. You have the powers to pass orders, you do it. It is not for the court to pass orders..," the bench said in the hearing conducted via video conferencing.  After the observation of the apex court, the Centre withdrew the plea filed through Delhi Police seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor or trolley march or any other kind of protest which seeks to disrupt the gathering and celebrations of the Republic Day. The hearing in the matter is still continuing. 

Key Takeaways from Supreme Court Hearing:

• No order from SC on farmers rally planned for Republic Day, Delhi police to withdraw application.

• Centre to file response on nomination of fourth member.

• Farmers assure of a peaceful republic day, refuse to depose before any committee.

• SC slams insinuations on the committee members.

Supreme Court Asks Prashant Bhushan to Counsel Farmers | "We are calling upon you as a lawyer, counsel them so that a resolution should be reached othis dispute," the Supreme Court today told Prashant Bhushan. The CJI added: "Please change your attitude. Try and reach a resolution."

SC Clarifies Role of Panel | The Supreme Court has said the purpose of a panel set up to resolve an impasse between protesters and the government, is to listen to the grievances of parties affected by farm laws. "There are no adjudicatory powers given to the committee and its role is to merely share the grievances of the parties and make a report to the court. Bhupinder Singh Mann has resigned from the committee. This has resulted in a vacancy. Applicant (kisan Mahapanchayat) has moved an application seeking filling of the vacancy. Centre must submit it's response on the vacancy." the court says.

Dushyant Dave and Prashant Bhushan have stated that unions represented by them do not want to participate in the deliberations of the committee. Their view is not sought by the government due to this.

CJI Slams Row Over SC Panel | The CJI says he is very "miffed with the sort of opinion that has been expressed in the press after Committee was set up."

"It's been said that court was 'interested'. How was the court interested in setting up the committee. These are most brilliant minds in the agricultural field. Just because they have an opinion they become biased? Don't people change their opinions when they hear contrary views. Every lawyer and judge has done that," he says.

The apex court has also sought a response by the Centre on the application seeking expansion/change in committee. 

CJI Slams Questions Raised on Panel | On questions being raised on the impartiality of the Supreme Court panel formed to resolve an impasse between protesters and the government on farm laws, the CJI says "people unthinkingly cast aspersions". He says people cannot be "branded" and that they should have opinions, as even the best judges do. "It's a cultural thing now. Brand people who you don't like and then criticise them. We don't appreciate that. The committee has no adjudicating powers, is only recordings views and they have no power to decide.We are not forcing anyone to appear before the committee. You cannot malign people and brand them and then cast aspersions on the court. We only intervened due to public interest," he says.

'We Won't Pass Any Orders': CJI | Amid a Supreme Court hearing on a plea seeking an injunction against the proposed tractor rally, the CJI tells the Solicitor General that the bench does not want to issue directions. "It's not up to us to allow or disallow a rally or a protest. You are the authority and the executive of this country. We will not pass any orders on the application of Delhi police. Please withdraw it," the CJI says, replying to the Centre's appeal for directions on farmers' tractor rally scheduled for Republic Day. 

Supreme Court Hearing Begins | The Supreme Court hearing on the farmers' protest against the Centre's contentious agri reforms has begun.

Ahead of Govt-Farmers' Meet, Chidambaram Urges Centre to 'Start on Clean Slate' | Ahead of the tenth round of talks between the Centre and agitating farmers, Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday urged the ruling dispensation to start afresh and keep the past aside. Nine rounds of talks have taken place between the government and agitating farmer unions without any concrete resolution, while the tenth round is scheduled to be held on Wednesday. "Start on a clean slate’ is the only way forward,” Chidambaram tweeted. ”The government should offer to begin afresh and hold talks on what needs to be done and what needs to be avoided,” he said. The Congress leader also wondered how one could expect a positive outcome when the government refuses to keep the past aside.

The Centre's new farm laws are designed to "destroy" the agriculture sector and hand it over to three or four crony capitalists, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Tuesday.

Farmers are gearing up for a tractor rally at Ring Road on Republic Day. Amid concerns over disturbances due to the protest on January 26, farm leaders are meeting Delhi Police to seek permission for the same.

We've told them that we'll hold tractor march at Ring Road, they should accept it. We'll have further info after meet but they won't face any disturbance due to it: Gurnam Singh Chaduni, Bharatiya Kisan Union

Farmer leaders have arrived at Vigyan Bhawan for meeting with Police. pic.twitter.com/6T1m2dEO97

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2021

Farmers Meet Delhi Police for Republic Day-tractor Rally Permission | Amid plans of farmers agitating against the Centre's agri reforms to hold a tractor rally on the ocassion of Republic Day, the group has met with Delhi Police to seek permission for the same. The Supreme Court had earlier said that the police should decide whether or not to grant a yes to the rally. "We have given our proposal to the police. If they now refuse we will discuss amongst ourselves as to what next step to take," said farmer leader Gurnam Singh.

Govt Buys Paddy Worth Rs 1.07 Lakh Crore at MSP till Jan 18 | The government has procured paddy worth Rs 1,07,572 crore so far in this Kharif marketing season at the minimum support price (MSP) amid farmers' protest at various Delhi border points against three new farm laws. Kharif marketing season starts from October. "In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per existing MSP Schemes," an official statement said on Tuesday. The government has purchased 569.76 lakh tonnes of paddy till January 18, up nearly 24 per cent from 460.10 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year. "About 80.35 lakh farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement operations with MSP value of Rs 107572.36 Crore," the statement said. Out of the total purchase of 569.76 lakh tonnes, Punjab has contributed 202.77 lakh tonnes.