10th Meeting With Farmers: Centre Proposes Suspension Of Agri Laws For 1.5 Years

Picture courtesy: The Tribune India

New Delhi: For the first time in their ongoing ‘tussle’ with protesting farmers, the Union government has proposed that the three contentious agricultural laws be suspended for 1.5 to 2 years and urged farmer unions to suspend their agitation till that time.

That was the takeaway from the 10th round of talks between representatives of the Centre and protesting farmers’ union leaders on Wednesday.

However, farmers still want a complete withdrawal of the laws, Hindustan Times reported. They said that mere suspension of the laws for a period of time won’t result in any change.

The next meeting has been scheduled for January 22.

Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar sounded optimistic.

“I am happy that farmer unions have taken our proposal seriously and said that they would consider it tomorrow and consider their decision on January 22. I feel that the talks are progressing in the right direction and there is a possibility of finding a resolution soon,” he said.

The Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of the laws and formed a panel to find a solution to the impasse.