Farmers reject Government proposal to form committee, next meeting on Thursday

The government's proposal to form a committee to study the three contentious farm laws was rejected by farmer unions during the talks called by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday to resolve the issues raised by agitating farmers.

"Now is not the time for a committee," sources quoted farmers' representatives as saying at the meeting with three central ministers this evening.A second meeting will be held on December 3,reports NDTV .

"Our movement against farm laws will continue and we'll definitely take back something from the Govt, be it bullets or a peaceful solution. We'll come back for more discussions with them", reacted Chanda Singh, Member of Farmers' Delegation who met Union Agriculture Minister in Delhi today.

Meanwhile Prem Singh Bhangu, President of All India Kisan Federation reacted that today's meeting with Union Agricultural Minister was good and some progress was made.

"During our next meet on 3rd Dec with govt, we'll convince them that no clause of farm law is pro-farmer. Our agitation will continue," he added

More farmers from Punjab and khaps from Haryana are making their way to the national capital, demanding that the laws be repealed. The farmers had said they will continue the protest if their demands are not accepted.

"The meeting was good and we have decided that the talks will be held on 3rd December," reacted Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh who lead the meeting.

"We wanted a small group to be constituted but farmers' leaders wanted that the talks should be held with everyone, we do not have problem with it," he added.

He also appealed the farmers to suspend the protests and come for the talks,reports ANI.

According to a report by IANS, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Roop Singh Sanna told that "forming a committee is an attempt to postpone the issue. We are not ready to accept government's offer,"

He also said that all the "union leaders unanimously rejected" the government's offer.

The government is holding on to its stance of not rolling back the three farm laws which farmers allege are "anti-farm" and "black laws": The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The meeting between the government and farmers came after late Monday night invitation sent by Agriculture Minister to them following their ongoing protest started from November 26.

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at Delhi borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Currently, these farmers have been protesting at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders.

(with inputs from agencies)