New Delhi: Deadlock between the government and farmers unions continued as the eighth round of talks also concluded without any result on Friday with both sides sticking to their respective positions.
Both sides agreed to meet for the next round on January 15.
Emerging from the talks after about three hours, the shortest meeting between the two sides till now, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said he had asked the farmers unions to give an alternative other than repealing and the government would consider it. But the farmers unions did not give any alternative. Therefore the meeting was concluded and it was decided to hold next round on January 15.
‘’The government has said it again and again that if the farmers unions give any alternative, we will consider that. We hope we will be successful on January 15,’’ he added.
Farmers’ leaders said they would continue with their agitation and take out a tractor rally on January 26 as planned if the government did not repeal the three contentious laws.
The government, on the other hand, has made it clear that repeal of the laws would not be possible. It was, however, was ready for amendments in the laws.
Asked if the government had asked anybody to mediate, Mr Tomar said the government had not approached anybody. The government is having discussions with all including those who support the laws and those who oppose these. ‘’We meet all’’, he said.
Asked about his meeting with Sikh religious leader Baba Lakha Singh (head of Nanaksar Gurudwara, Kaleran) and whether the government had asked him to mediate, the Minister said Baba Lakha Singh is a spiritual figure and he believed that some solution would be found. ‘’He conveyed farmers’ point of view and we told him the government’s opinion.’’ The Minister hoped that he must have conveyed the government’s views to the farmers.
The Minister said he had told Baba Lakha Singh that the government had given a proposal to the farmers but they had rejected it. The Minister, however, said the government had not requested Baba Lakha Singh to mediate. ‘’We haven’t requested Baba Lakha Singh for mediation. We respect him and hope he must have talked with the farmers.’’.
Bala Lakha Singh had earlier said they would try to find a solution. ‘’We will try to resolve it at the earliest. The minister assured me that he is with us in finding a solution,’’ Baba Lakha Singh said after meeting the Agriculture Minister.
