Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 20
In a major development on Wednesday, the BJP-led Centre offered to suspend implementation of the three contentious farm laws for “one to one-and-a-half years” or a period “mutually decided by the two sides”.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government is also ready to give an affidavit in the Supreme Court to dispel any doubts on the proposal.
On the issue of MSP, the government offered a committee but farmers rejected it, according to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.
However, agitating unions said they are firm on their demand for a complete repeal of the three laws but will still discuss the government’s proposal on Thursday.
Their next meeting with the three union ministers is now scheduled for January 22.
Briefing the media, Tomar said he was “hopeful of positive result (in other words farmers taking up the offer of the government) in the next meeting”.
“It will be a victory for Indian democracy the day farmers end the agitation,” he added.
Tomar said being the ‘parkash utsav’ of Guru Gobind Singh, it was an important day and it was the effort of the government to arrive at some decision today.
“While the farmers, as usual, were stuck on their demand for a repeal, the government, with a big heart, was willing to offer amendments. Today’s day is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh. We began by extending our wishes to unions and gave them the proposal to setup a joint committee to discuss all issues related to agitation and find solutions.
“I am glad they have decided to discuss the matter (amongst themselves). I am sure that the matter is reaching towards a conclusion. I am hopeful of a positive result on January 22,” he said.
Regarding the Supreme Court order on the laws, Tomar said the government will honour its decision as also of the committee set up by it to look into the matter.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Darshan Pal said just because unions have agreed to discuss the government’s proposal tomorrow does not mean that they have given up the demand of complete repeal of the three laws.