Farmer protests: Fifth round of talks today, farmers threaten to intensify agitation if talks fail

After the fourth round of talks between the Centre and representatives of 35 farmer groups remained inconclusive on Thursday, the next round of meeting between both the parties is scheduled for December 5, Saturday, 2 pm at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi.

Earlier on Friday, farmers at Singhu Border called for nationwide protests against the new farmer bills and announced a Bharat Bandh on December 8, after talks failed between the government and farmer representatives.

Addressing a press conference, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadoni said if the Centre does not accept their demands to repeal the laws during Saturday’s talks, they will intensify their agitation and also occupy the toll plazas.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had urged farmers on Thursday to end their agitation, assuring that Minimum Support Price (MSP) would not be touched.

However, Tomar has hinted that the Modi government could amend three major provisions in the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act. 

Amid the ongoing farmers' stir, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the Congress will bring a no-confidence motion in the Legislative Assembly on the farm laws.

During a press conference on Friday, he said the Congress will urge the Governor to call a special Assembly session in this regard.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the farm reform legislations were brought in after elaborate stakeholder consultations and a lot of homework, and will benefit farmers.

Asserting that the reforms were not done in a jiffy, she said the agriculture minister is meeting farmers with an open mind and hoped that a solution will be found soon.

'Between 2014-2020, we have proven that we take MSP (Minimum Support Price) seriously,' Sitharaman said.

Earlier on Friday, a petition seeking immediate removal of the protesting of farmers from Delhi borders was submitted to the Supreme Court.

The plea has sought the apex court directions to the authorities to open the roads at Delhi borders, shift these protestors to allotted place and provide guidelines on social distancing and use of mask at the protest place to contain spread of COVID-19 cases.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday spoke to various farmers' groups protesting at Delhi’s Singhu border and assured them that the TMC stands by them, party leader Derek O'Brien said.