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‘Nothing for me to resolve’: Punjab CM after meeting home minister Shah over farmers’ stir
Fourth round of talks between the government and the protesters will take place on Thursday. Third round of talks, which took place on Tuesday, had ended in a stalemate.
Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday met Union home minister Amit Shah over the ongoing farmers’ protests on the outskirts of the national capital against the three contentious farm laws passed by the Centre in September. Speaking to media after the meeting, Singh said talks were going on between the Centre and the farmers and there was nothing for him to resolve.
“Discussion is going on between farmers and Centre, there’s nothing for me to resolve. I reiterated my opposition in my meeting with home minister and requested him to resolve the issue as it affects the economy of my state and security of the nation,” news agency ANI quoted the Punjab chief minister as saying.
Additionally, Singh also announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of two farmers, from the districts of Mansa and Moga respectively, who lost their lives during the ongoing protests, the Punjab chief minister’s office (CMO) said in a statement.
The meeting between Shah and Singh took place on a day fourth round of talks are scheduled to take place between the government and the protesting farmers. The third round of talks, which took place on Tuesday, had ended in a stalemate, with the farmers’ representatives turning down the government’s proposal to form a panel to discuss the three laws.
Meanwhile, Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said he is hoping for a positive outcome of talks with farmers.“The government is constantly discussing issues with farmers. Today is the fourth round of talks And I’m hoping for a positive outcome,” Tomar said after meeting home minister Shah.
The Centre is trying very hard to end the protest against the newly-enacted farm laws, which the farmer leaders are opposed to. Just hours ahead of talks with protesting farmers, Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on Thursday stated that farmers are coming for talks because there is hope for a solution that will be acceptable to both government and farmers and reiterated that the Centre is clear that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will stay and is willing to give it in writing as well.
Of the three ministers who held hour-long discussions with farmers, Prakash hails from Punjab and will be engaging with farmers today along with agriculture minister Tomar and railways minister Piyush Goyal.
The farm unions, which are spearheading the protests, said that 40 leaders are present at Vigyan Bhawan for talks with the government.
“We are hopeful that the talks will be productive. If our demands are not met then the farmers will take part in the Republic Day parade held in Delhi,” farmer leader Rakesh Tikat said.
The farmers are protesting against 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.