As talks in an earlier farmer and ministry meeting on December 1 did not resolve the issue, the next round of meetings will take place on December 3.
Discussion Between Farmers and Centre
Following three and a half-hour-long discussion with 35 farmer leaders, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar confirmed that farmers held the talks cordial atmosphere. The ministers suggested them to form a panel committee comprising of 5-10 representatives to attend a further round of discussions. However, the farmers refused to form a committee saying that it will put the issue in cold storage. GS of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Punjab), Jagmohan Singh said that government wanted objections in writing which we have already submitted.
Noida-Delhi Border Closed
Protestors affiliated to the Bharatiya Kisan Union gathered at the Delhi-Noida border on Tuesday evening to join the mass agitation. Delhi Police informed the commuters in a tweet about the closure of the Chilla border on Noida link road. It advised commuters to take NH-24 and DND [Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway] instead. Besides, the authorities have shut two more border points connecting the national capital with Gurgaon and Jhajjar-Bahadurgarh as a precautionary measure. However, the Badusarai border is open for two-wheelers.
‘Farmers Could Sell their Produce Anywhere in the Country, so What’s this New Thing?’- Leader at Farmers’ Protest
A leader, while talking to the media, mentioned that farmers held an agitation against zonal restrictions in 1976. Subsequently, 1450 farmers went to jail. In 1977, the Janata Party government declared the whole country as a single zone for trading agricultural produce. Further, terming ‘one market one nation’ illogical, he said that PAN card buying accessibility with no rules would make the situation free-for-all, which is undesirable. Also, noting the government’s claim of elimination of intermediaries, he asked the government to define the middlemen.
In all, farmers have come prepared for the long haul and will not leave until their demands are met.