No Breakthrough : Government-Farmers Talks Remain Inconclusive, 9th Round On January 15

Picture : Twitter / ANI

Even after eighth round of talks between the Centre and protesting farmers the deadlock is not over on the month-long protests. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said no decision could be reached as unions did not give alternatives to their demand for the repeal of laws.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting that lasted for little over two hours, Tomar said the government is still hopeful that union leaders will come with alternatives to discuss in the next round of talks on January 15.

But, he virtually ruled out repeal of the laws saying many other groups across the country are supporting these reforms.

The farmers on the other hand are sticking to their key demand of the repeal of three farm laws to end their protest, farmer leaders told the government their ‘ghar wapsi’ from protest sites on Delhi borders can happen only after ‘law wapsi’ but the Centre insisted talks must be limited to contentious clauses and ruled out a complete withdrawal of Acts.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, who is an MP from Punjab, have been holding talks with unions at Vigyan Bhawan.

“Farmers won’t relent before the laws are repealed. We’ll come on 15th again. We’re not going anywhere. The govt wanted to talk about amendments. We don’t wish to have clause wise discussions. We simply want a repeal of the new farm laws”, said Rakesh Tikait, Spox, Bharatiya Kisan Union