Govt-farmers talk:11th round ends in stalement

The meeting on Friday between farmers and the government has ended in a stalemate again.  Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar told farmers that their current offer of keeping the laws on hold for 18 months is the best the government can offer. He advised the farmers to rethink their decision to reject the offer.The minister said that they will meet again, but no time and date was set for the next round of talks.Tomar thanked all farmer leaders, including those who support the government proposal or suspension of laws and those against it. 

According to souces the farmers sought a complete repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee for MSP. The government also showed a stern stance and said the next round of talks will only take place if farm union representatives accept the proposal of stalling the implementation of farm laws for two years.  Farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka said there was no headway in the discussions and the government asked unions to deliberate on its proposal again.

Speaking to media, Rakesh Tikait, Spokesperson, Bhartiya Kisan Union said that the farmers have decided to once again deliberate the government proposal to postpone implementation of the new farm laws. However,the farmers remain firm on their demand of complete repeal. If the stalemate continues, the protest will be scaled up starting the tractor rally on Republic Day, he said. According to him the government offered to put the implementation of the farm laws on hold for two years and said that the next round of meeting can take place only if farmer unions are ready to accept the proposal.