NEW DELHI, Jan 21 (NNN-PTI) – India is ready to postpone the implementation of the three farm laws by up to one-and-a-half years, even as talks with the agitated farmers continue to find a solution, said federal Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, yesterday.
There has been a deadlock between farmers and the government, for over three months. While the farmers have been demanding a complete withdrawal of the three farm laws, the federal government doesn’t seem to be in a mood to relent.
Speaking to media at the conclusion of the 10th round of talks in New Delhi, with representatives of farmers’ unions/associations, Tomar said, in the interests of the farmers, the federal government was ready to postpone the implementation of the three farm laws by six months, or up to one-and-a-half years.
Thousands of farmers from several states have been camping at the inter-state border around Delhi for nearly two months, demanding withdrawal of the three laws which they claim are detrimental to their interests.
After being denied entry by the Delhi Police, the agitated farmers set up temporary tents for themselves, and can be seen cooking in makeshift community kitchens, at various inter-state borders around Delhi.
Only two days ago the country’s apex court – the Supreme Court of India, put on hold the implementation of the three farm laws, namely the “Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020,” the “Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020,” and the “Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.”
The laws were passed in Parliament in Sept last year, and finally, President Ram Nath Kovind put his signatures on Sept 27.
The next round of talks is scheduled for tomorrow.– NNN-PTI
