Even as farmer leaders are scheduled to hold the sixth round of talks with the Centre in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon, a farmer leader has emphasised that they are still demanding the repeal of the three central farm laws and law on crop MSPs. All India Kisan Sabha General Secretary Major Singh Punawal asserted that their agenda for the latest round of talks would be the process to repeal the three laws and to bring a law on the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The protest by farmers under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha on Delhi borders continued for the 35th day on Wednesday.
Punawal said, "Farmer leaders did not agree to discuss the proposals sent by the government earlier on because it talked about amendments to the new farm laws. But now, parleys will be held on the issues suggested by the farmers. We will like to talk on those issues only.”
The four issues suggested by farmer leaders for talks today are:-
- the procedure to be followed to repeal the three central farm laws.
- procedure and provision for a legal guarantee for the procurement of crops at profitable MSP, as suggested by the National Farmers Commission for all agricultural commodities.
- amendments to the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020, to exclude farmers from penal provisions.
- the procedure to withdraw the draft Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020, to protect the interests of farmers.
The farmer leader said that they would be taking their own food and other arrangements again for this round of talk at the Vigyan Bhavan which is scheduled at 2 pm.
"It is not important that the government will make arrangements for food for farmer representatives or they will bring their own food. Fellow farmers have been making arrangements for food for those sitting on Delhi roads for the last 35 days, and so, we too will make our arrangements for food; but the important thing is -- the Union government should listen to the farmers," he remarked.
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What are the three farm laws?
The farmers are demanding the repeal of three farm laws enacted by the Centre during the monsoon parliament session.
1. The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Production and Facilitation) Act, 2020.
2. Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.
3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.