Farmers protest: Sixth round of talks ends inconclusive

New Delhi: The sixth round of meeting between the protesting farmers and the Central government did not bear fruit as the government showed no trace of concession in its earlier stance and refused to repeal the contentious laws.

However, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said that consensus were made on two crucial issues out of four where the government and the protesters were on loggerheads. He also informed that the seventh round of the meeting will be held on January 4.

It is learnt that the government agreed to exempt farmers from punitive actions stipulated by Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020 and to withdraw the Electricity Amendment Bill.

Govt has been saying that MSP will continue. We are ready to give this in writing. But farmers' unions feel MSP should get legal status. So the discussion will continue on the legal aspect of MSP & other issues on Jan 4 at 2 pm: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar https://t.co/BoRiBMaoxw

— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2020

Farmers leaders demanded justice and compensation for the families of the farmers who died during the protest during the crucial and 'decisive' sixth round of dialogue between the Centre and the 41 farmers' representatives,reports ANI. According to India today report based on its sources Centre is adamant in its position saying that it won't repeal laws.

The report also says that the government position on MSP is "it is ready to talk if the farmers end the protest".

The meeting started around 2.30 p.m. at Vigyan Bhavan in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash as the agitation entered 35th day.

Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal and other Ministry officials also are attending the meeting.

Krantikari Kisan Union President (Punjab) Darshan Pal, Bharatiya Kisan Union's Jagjeet Singh Dalewal and Balbir Singh Rajewal, Jamhuri Kishan Sabha Punjab General Secretary Kulwant Singh, and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Uttar Pradesh) President Rakesh Tikait were among the 41 farm union leaders taking part in the meeting.

After five inconclusive talks, the government now hopes that this meeting would be "decisive" to end the agitation against three contentious new agricultural legislations enacted in September during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The withdrawal of these laws is the first and the major demand of the agitating farmers.

On December 5, the fifth round of talks held between the 40 farmer leaders and the three Union Ministers faced a deadlock as farmers were adamant on their demand for repeal of the three new central farm laws. The five rounds of talks between the two sides have remained inconclusive.