The Union Government on the 20th of January, took a crucial decision regarding the ongoing farmers protest against three farm laws.
In order to end the protest, the Central Government offered to suspend the three laws for 18 months.
The decision was taken after the protesting farmers of Haryana and Punjab refused to appear before the expert committee, appointed by the Supreme Court.
Recently, the Top Court appointed a committee which would work as a mediator between the Central Government and farmers union and would try to resolve the issue.
The committee was formed, after the Union Government officials failed to lock horns even after 8 rounds of talks with the farmer unions.
After the recent offer of keeping the law in abayence, the two sides (Central Government and farmers union) agreed to meet again on the 22nd of January.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who is leading the talks said, “We expect to move towards a solution on January 22.”
Meanwhile, Suresh Joshi, the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak (RSS) Sarkaryawah (general secretary) asked for “sensitivity” in dealing with the farmer agitation and said a “middle ground must be found and both sides must work to find a solution.”
Mr. Joshi said, “it is not good for the health of society for any agitation to run for too long… We just want the agitation (to) end quickly.”
Narendra Singh Tomar said, “As you are aware, the Supreme Court has stayed the agriculture reform laws for a short duration. Their implementation will not happen for some time. In the past and even today, we told them that more time is needed to consider the laws in detail, discuss various aspects related to the agitation. And the required time may be six months, one year or one-and-half years.”
The duration of 18 months would be used to resolve the issue and find a ground solution.
The farmers’ protest started against the three farm laws from the 25th of November.
According to the farmers, the three farm bills –
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill 2020, the Farmers Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill 2020 (Empowerment and Protection) and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020, would demolish Minimum Price Support (MSP) giving agriculture sector to the corporates and privatise the agriculture sector.
They also fear, with the new agriculture laws, they would be at the mercy of corporate people, as the mandi system would also be out of context.
On the 21st of January, the farmers’ protests entered 57th day.
Meanwhile, the next meeting between the Central Government leaders (Narendra Singh Tomar and Piyush Goyal) is scheduled to be held on the 22nd of January.
Stay tuned for further updates.
