The Government has invited protesting farmers for a round of talks today at 3 pm. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the farmer leaders, who were present in the first round of talks have been invited at Vigyan Bhavan today.
The next round of discussion was earlier supposed to take place on December 3rd but it has been pushed forward due to relentless protests by farmers at Delhi's borders amid COVID-19 and cold weather.
Farmer leaders have been invited for talks today at 3pm. The Government is always ready for talks: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar#FarmerProtest pic.twitter.com/h2NgDfVJ1p
— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020
The farmers had earlier rejected the centre's offer to hold talks on December 3 saying that imposing conditions for beginning a dialogue is an insult to them. However, the protesting farmers have accepted the government's offer to hold talks today.
Key Highlights
As per reports, leaders from around 36 farmers unions will take part in the talks with the Centre at the Vigyan Bhavan in the national capital at 3 pm today.
The Centre has invited the protesting farmers for talks to end the stalemate over the centre's new farm reform laws as they continue their agitation at Delhi border points.
The farmers have been protesting against three new farm laws:
1.The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020
2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020
3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
Borders Closed
Delhi's Tikri Border has been closed for any traffic movement. Sindhu Border has also been closed from both sides. The traffic has been diverted from Mukarba Chowk & GTK road.
Singhu Border is still closed from both sides. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba Chowk & GTK road: Delhi Traffic Police#FarmersProtest
— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020
High-level meet over farmer protests
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar are expected to hold a meeting over farmers' protests at the residence of BJP President JP Nadda. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also arrives for the meeting.
Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar arrive at the residence of BJP President JP Nadda, to hold a meeting over farmers protest pic.twitter.com/ZZriac7vE5
— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020
Why are the Farmers protesting against new Farm Reform Bills?
1. Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 will allow the farmers to sell their produce outside the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) regulated markets, which are government-controlled mandis.
The law will allow farmers to directly sell their produce to cold storage, warehouses, processing plants and even to the end consumer.
What are the concerns against the bill?
There are concerns that the bill will do away with the government procurement process and the Minimum Support Price (MSP)-based procurement regime, which will impact the farmers.
2. Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 202
The bill aims to create a framework for contract farming. Under its provisions, the farmers will have to enter into contracts with agri-business firms, exporters, wholesalers, processors, or large retailers for the sale of their future produce at a pre-decided price.
What are the concerns against the bill?
The farmers are opposing the bill due to their distrust in corporates and they fear that large corporates will take over contract farming. The bill gives an upper hand to the corporates, who will have an edge in disputes being big exporters, wholesalers and processors.
3. Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2019: Key Provisions
The bill aims to remove commodities like pulses, oilseeds, onion, potatoes and cereals from the list of essential commodities, do away with stock holding limits, attract foreign direct investment into the farm sector and help both farmers and consumers and bring price stability.
The bill makes way for a competitive market environment and cut wastage of farm produce.
What are the concerns against the bill?
The farmers are concerned that the price limits set for extraordinary circumstances are so high that they might never be invoked and that the bill will enable large companies to stock up commodities and dictate terms to the farmers, which may lead to less prices for the cultivators.
What do the farmers want?
The farmers want the Union government to either withdraw the three farm bills or guarantee them the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops by introducing a new law.
Also read: New Farm Reform Bills: Know all about them
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