Farmers' groups give consent for 7th round of talks with Centre; 1 union backs out

In a big development on Tuesday, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha- umbrella organization of 40 farmers' unions accepted Centre's invite to hold talks on December 30. This will mark 7th round of talks between farmer leers and Union government amid ongoing stir against farm laws. In letter dressed to Agriculture Ministry Secretary Sanjay Agarwal, SKM maintained meeting should focus on nda proposed in its previous communication. For instance, it h refused to compromise on demand for repeal of agrarian laws and statutory backing for MSP. 

However, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee- one of 40 unions have decided t to participate in Wednesday's deliberations. It lamented that NITI Aayog chairman, PM Modi and or Ministers h repeatedly backed three farm laws. ditionally, farmers' union opined that meeting h concrete nda. 

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What are farm laws? 

Farmers' Produce Tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 aims at freeing  farmers from constraints of state Agriculture Produce Market Committees whereby y would be able to sell ir produce anywhere. Meanwhile,  Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 protects and empowers farmers to eng with processors, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters for farm services. This entails provision of contract farming. On or hand,  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 specifies that supply of foodstuffs including cereals, pulses, potato, edible oilseeds, and oils shall be regulated only under exceptional circumstances.

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Centre's willingness for talks

On Monday, Union government invited representatives of 40 protesting farmers' unions for talks at 2 pm on Wednesday. Agriculture Ministry Secretary Sanjay Agarwal conveyed this in response to unions' letter dated December 26 wherein y h expressed willingness to restart talks on Tuesday. Maintaining that Indian government is always rey to talk to farmers with an open mind, Agarwal reiterated its commitment to dress issues with honest intent. Moreover, he stressed that a detailed discussion will be held on farmers' concerns pertaining to three farm laws, procurement at Minimum Support Price,  Commission for Air Quality Manment in National Capital Region and joining Areas Ordinance, 2020 and Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020. 

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