'Not an Astrologer', Agriculture Minister unsure if Jan 4 farmer-govt talks will be final

On topic of farmer unions meeting with Centre over 3 contentious farm bills, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said that government is hopeful of a "positive outcome" on January 4. Stating that he is t an "astrologer", Narendra Singh Tomar refrained from predicting wher this upcoming round of talks with framers will be final or t. Asserting that last meeting held on December 30, 2020, happened in a cordial atmosphere, Union Agriculture Minister said that re is a possibility of positive results in interests of farmers and country's farm sector at next meeting. 

Narendra Singh Tomar said, "We will see. I cant say for sure w. I am t an astrologer. I am hopeful that whatever decision would be taken in meeting will be in interest of country and of farmers."

This statement by Agriculture Minister comes after 6 rounds of talks between Centre and around 40 farmer unions have failed to end farmers' protest on various Delhi borders.

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Centre agrees on 2 out of 4 demands of farmers

last round of discussions between Centre and farmers' unions ended on late Wednesday evening. nearly 5-hour long deliberations on Wednesday ended inconclusively forcing ar round which has been scheduled on January 4. 4-point nda set by farmers' unions was tabled in meeting, with government conceding to two demands, Union Agriculture Minister confirmed. 

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Centre has agreed to keep farmers out of ambit of penalty for stubble burning and has also conceded to demand of t going ahe with Electricity Amendment Bill 2020. As per sources, during meeting, government h told farmers that demands and issues related to 3 agricultural laws can be discussed by forming a committee while explaining long process of making and abolishing laws.  

Union Government maintained that laws will t be repealed, but agreed to talk on MSP later, asking farmers to stop ir agitation, once again. Amid talks, Union Ministers - Narendra Singh Tomar, Piyush Goyal and Som Parkash joined 40 farm union leers to partake in ir langar during lunch break, in a friendly gesture to farmers.

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Farmers' protest continues

Rejecting Centre's proposed amendment to 3 Farm Laws, farmers have stayed firm on ir demand of total repeal of Farm acts, stating a 'lack of trust' on Modi government. farm union leers were sent a 10-point proposal by Centre assuring to give written guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), empowering states to create a law which will prevent misuse of trers' registration, continuing current electricity bill payment done by government and amend stubble burning penalty clause.  PM Modi has also released over Rs 18,000 crore to more than nine crore farmers under 'Prhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi' scheme. While Centre has been in talks to several or farm unions supporting Laws, protesting unions have retaliated by approaching Supreme Court seeking a total repeal of laws and a nationwide farm waiver.

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(With PTI inputs)