Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has reached Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the next round of talks between the farmers and Centre is underway. The meeting started at Shah’s residence on Thursday noon minutes before the fourth round of government and farmer representatives meeting at Vigyan Bhawan began.
As the farmer’s protest spearheaded by farmers from Punjab and Haryana keeps on escalating around Delhi this meeting is termed as a crucial one.
They are expected to discuss the issues plaguing the army of farmers around the national capital's periphery.
Thousands of farmers and over 32 farm unions have gathered along Delhi's Singhu and Tikri borders since November 26. Staying under the open sky at the onset of a long winter, they refuse to give up until their demands are met.
The Singh and Tikri borders, and also Chilla and Ghazipur ones have now been hosting these farmers for over a week. Hundreds of farmers have almost blocked entry and exit out of the capital.
Shah and Punjab Chief Minister's meeting took place after the Home Minister met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal for about half-an-hour ahead of the government and farmers' representative meet.
After the decision remained unresolved during the early talks on December 1, the fourth round of meeting with over 32 farmers leaders has begun at Vigyan Bhawan.
The Center’s proposal of forming a special committee to resolve concerns over the farm laws during their last meeting was collectively rejected by the farmers' representatives.
The union government stands firm by the laws calling it "historic reforms" in the farm sector, thus a solution was not possible.
The farmers have remained determined about their stance and have warned the government that if no decision was taken by Thursday their agitation would intensify further.
In place of a committee, they have demanded a special session of parliament to repeal what they have called "black laws".
The farmers believe these laws would only favour the corporates -- which not entertained might lead to a chokehold across the nation, not just Delhi.
Source: IANS