The Central government has sent another letter to the protesting farmers, expressing willingness to hold further discussions regarding the three new farm bills and address all their issues. This letter comes a day after farmers suggested the government to "stop repeating meaningless amendments" and offer a concrete proposal.
The letter has been addressed to the Sankyukt Kisan Morcha, which is an umbrella organisation of 40 farm unions. The government in its letter said it will open for talks with the farmers and ensured that all voices will be heard.
However, the Centre in the letter has mentioned that it has defined its stand on the essential commodities act.
The government in the letter has given written assurances that all the issues raised by the farm unions in past meetings will be addressed and re-emphasised that the three bills have nothing to do with the minimum support price (MSP) issue for procurement, adding that the government will continue to obtain crops on MSP despite the new laws.
The government, however, does not seem to repeal the three agriculture laws which have been the major demand of the farmers.
Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry, Vivek Agarwal, mentioned in the letter that the government is still ready to discuss all the existing issues with the farm unions with an “open mind”, following a retort by the protesting farmers on Wednesday asking the government to offer them a concrete proposal in writing for another round of talks and not meaningless amendments suggestions.
Addressing a press conference, a farm leader said they are ready for talks but are waiting for the government to send a concrete proposal.
The farmers have strongly stood by their demand - a complete withdrawal of the three farm laws as well as a legal guarantee on MSP. Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav even asked the government to stop writing “love letters”.
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As the deadlock continues, thousands of farmers are continuing their demonstration at several Delhi border points which has reached its 28th day.
“Representatives of farmers have demanded a complete repeal of these farm laws but the government wants to cleverly project our demands for amendments. In our previous talks, we have told the government that they don't want amendments," Morcha said in an earlier letter.