Suspension of new laws best offer, urge farmers to reconsider: Tomar
NEW DELHI: Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday said the government’s proposal to suspend the new farm laws for 1-1.5 years as the “best offer” and hoped that the protesting farmers’ unions will soon reconsider it and convey their decision.
“The government has given the best offer to farmers’ unions. I am hopeful that they will convey their decision to us after discussing it among themselves. Once they communicate, we will take it forward,” Tomar said.
The talks between the government and protesting farm unions have remained inconclusive even after 11 rounds of discussions. During the 10th round of talks, the government had offered a proposal to keep the
new laws in abeyance for 1-1.5 years, but it was rejected by the unions. At the 11th round of discussion, the government asked unions to reconsider the proposal and convey their decision.
After the 11th round of talks, the minister had indicated that there won’t be further talks but he would be ready to meet for farmers’ final decision on the offer made by the government.
Farmers, who have encircled Delhi for nearly two months, will reach the national capital from five border points along pre-determined routes, farm leader Yogendra Yadav said.
At the Tikri and Singhu borders, farmers were busy preparing for their own Republic Day cultural spectacle.
“We have always seen Jai jawan (hail soldiers) on Republic Day. This time we will see Jai Kisan (hail farmers) too. This will be a historic occasion,” Yadav, a key organizer of the farmers’ protests, said, referring to the “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” (hail soldiers, hail farmers), which was coined by former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
The farmers’ protest at Delhi borders has entered its 61st day with farmers from other states like Maharashtra extending support to them.