Farmers' Protest updates: The Sixth Round of talks ended at consensus on 2 out of 4 issues

Consensus on 2 out 4 issues in farmer centre talk

On Wednesday, the sixth round of negotiations concluded after discussion between farmer unions' representatives and the committee set up by the centre to look over the events concerning the farmers' protests. The government conceded to 2 out of four demands of farmers leading to stabilization of protests and a sense of security to farmers. The settlement has been cemented on issues related to the Environment and Electricity Act. However, talks and invitations to the negotiations table will flutter in the administration regarding the firm demand of repealing the three laws and issuing a legal surety on existence of Minimum Selling Price (MSP). The next round has been scheduled for January 4.

The government exempted the farmers from the penalty attached to 'Commission for the Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020' for stubble burning. The centre also retracted the 'Electricity Amendment Bill 2020' but refused to agree to other two demands. "Today's talks were conducted in a positive environment and ended on consensus on 2 out 4 issues," said Narendra Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister and one of three council members. Farmers hope for a favourable outcome after today's semi victory but the government stays undeterred to withdraw the amendments.

On humanitarian grounds, Tomar requested and advised the union leaders to send women, elderly and children back as it'll be difficult to brave the biting cold winter in such discomfort. Union Minister Som Prakash, a member of three member committee said, "We want the meeting to be decisive and urge them to welcome the New Year at their homes along with their families. We will hear them out with an open heart and mind." Centre reaffirmed their rigid support for the existence of MSP and ensured no one can scrap it but didn't authorize the statement legally.

As the protests surge on the borders of National Capital and nearby states, the concerns over the blockages of routes and hardships for commuters have resurfaced. On 29 December, Union Ministers Narendra Tomar and Piyush Goyal held a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah to carve out the strategy to address the demands and needs of farmers. The prime idea revolves around their vision to implement the laws with adjustable amends but denying the revocation.