Farmers say no to 18-month pause on 3 new farm laws

The protesting farmers’ unions on Thursday rejected the central government’s proposal to suspend the three contentious agriculture laws for 18 months and set up a joint committee to address grievances.

The unions also rejected a suggestion by the police officers to hold their proposed Republic Day tractor rally on the KundliManesar-Palwal Expressway instead of Delhi’s busy Outer Ring Road.

In a general body meeting of Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body of the protesting farmer unions, the members reiterated a full repeal of the three laws and enacting legislation for remunerative MSP as the pending demands of the peasants’ movement.

Generally, representatives of 41 farmers’ unions had been participating in such meetings. But Thursday’s meeting was attended by about 80 farmers’ unions.

After the meeting, a statement issued by the Morcha said, “the proposal put forth by the government on Wednesday was rejected. A full repeal of three central farm acts and enacting a legislation for remunerative MSP for all farmers were reiterated as the pending demands

The union leaders also paid homage to the 143 farmers who have been martyred in this agitation which has been going on at Delhi borders for the last 57 days.

The Morcha said, “These companions are separated from us while fighting this mass movement. Their sacrifice will not go in vain and we will not go back without the repealing of these farm laws.”

On Wednesday, when the Centre put forward the offer during their tenth round of talks with the farmers, the union leaders said they would decide upon it only after holding internal consultations.

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