Picture : Twitter / ANI
As the talks between the farmers and the government have resulted in deadlock , Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has expressed hope that the discussions would be positive ahead of the 9th round . “The government is ready to hold talks with farmers’ leaders with an open mind,” Tomar said amid confusion over the fate of the next round of talks, in the wake of the Supreme Court appointing a four-member panel to resolve the impasse.
Tomar said the talks between the government and the union representatives will take place as scheduled for 12 pm on January 15. Even as the farmers refused to appear before the court-appointed panel citing its composition, the unions have expressed willingness to attend the scheduled talks with the government.
Tomar further stated, Government welcomes the Supreme Court order regarding the farmers’ agitation. The government will put forth its views before the committee (appointed by the court). We are trying to resolve the issue through dialogue,
Earlier Bhartiya Kisan Union president Bhupinder Singh Mann recused himself from the four-member committee, which has been accused by farmer unions and opposition parties as a “pro-government” panel. Mann said he is thankful to the apex court for nominating him on the panel but would give up any position to prevent farmers’ interests from being compromised.
“As a farmer myself and a union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country. I am recusing myself from the committee and I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab,” Mann said in a statement.
