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The deadlock between protesting farmers and the Centre was broken on Wednesday with the latter conceding two of their four key demands — removal of penalty provision in the Commission for the Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020, and scrapping of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill. The two main issues related to legalising MSP and withdrawing three farm laws were still under discussion, with the next round of talks scheduled for January 4.
Emerging from the marathon five-hour-long talks with Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, farmers’ representatives described the dialogue as an “advancement” although they said the protests at all five entry points to the Capital will continue till the negotiations are completed. The farmers have, however, decided to not hold a planned “tractor rally” in Delhi on Thursday.
“We will wait for their written assurances on the Electricity Act and the Ordinance on air pollution. We hope they will be ready to accept our demands on the other two key issues too,” All India Kisan Sabha general secretary Hannan Mollah told reporters after the meeting.
Tomar said there was a “50 per cent resolution” of the issues raised by the farmers. “We are sensitive towards the farmers. We have been ready to discuss all issues right from the beginning,” he added.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait described the dialogue as “positive” but asserted that the protests will continue. Mollah said the Centre is ready to bring amendments to the farm laws but the farmers want their complete withdrawal. But both described the meeting as a “change in atmospherics”.
Bonhomie seen
The change in mood was evident from the reported bonhomie the two Minister displayed during the talks, even lining up for food at the langar organised by Gurudwara Rakab Gunj. The atmosphere has hitherto been tense, with the farmers describing the government’s attitude as “obdurate and unrelenting”.
“It seems the government is in a mood to relent. Discussions will go on. The pressure created by farmers has reflected within the BJP too. Ministers have started speaking in a different voice. This could be one reason why they have shown some positive gesture to our demands,” said Mollah, adding, “It is an advancement, not a victory.”
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