The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (coordination committee of the farmer unions) on Wednesday responded to the proposal sent by the central government, stating that they are ready to talk but the government should stop defaming their protest movement.
"We want to assure you that the protesting farmers and farmers' organisations are ready for talks with the government and are waiting for when the government should proceed with this open mind and clear intention," a letter addressed to the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture from the unions said.
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha said, "You (Government) are requested to send a concrete proposal in writing instead of repeating the rejected proposals for such baseless amendments so that it can be made an agenda and talks can be restarted at the earliest.”
The letter further said that the government is trying to portray the farmer's protest that is "peaceful, grassroots and lawful struggle" as "separatists and extremists", painting their protest to be limited and regional colours and showing them in absurd and irrational forms.
The letter said, "The truth is that the farmers have negotiated cleanly, but the government has resorted to such tricks.”
So far six rounds of talks have already taken place between the farmer leaders and the government but didn't bear any result.
The farmers are protesting against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.
The Centre assures that these laws will allow farmers to sell their produce at places apart from their designated APMC markets, aiming to allow the farmers to have contract farming under which farmers can enter into supply agreements with private firms for remunerative and pre-decided prices.
However, the farmers believe the new farm laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system (MSP), leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.