Opposition leaders to meet President Kovind at 5 pm on Dec 9 amid protest over farm laws

A group of key leers will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at 5 pm on Wednesday to express ir opposition to three farm laws cleared by Parliament. Confirming this development on Tuesday, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury stated that over 20 political parties have extended ir support to Bharat Bandh. While mentioning that representatives of 11 parties wanted to meet President, Yechury revealed that Rashtrapati Bhavan h permitted only 5 leers for meeting owing to COVID-19 protocol.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, NCP supremo Shar Pawar, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, DMK's TR Baalu and a CPI representative are expected to be a part of opposition delegation. Maintaining that farm laws h been passed in Parliament in a "brazen anti-democratic manner", opposition parties have alleged that this would pave way for destroying Indian agriculture and scrapping of MSP. According to m, this was tantamount to mortgaging agriculture to caprices of multi-national and domestic corporates.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury remarked, "We have sought time from President. entire country kws that more than 20 political parties have extended support to farmers’ protest on repealing black laws and today’s Bharat Bandh. But as per Rashtrapati Bhavan, y do t give permission to more than 5 persons (for a meeting with President) as per COVID protocol. We have asked m to increase limit." 

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Talks with farmer leers to continue

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. Multiple farmers' unions are participating in Bharat Bandh. On Wednesday, Centre will hold 6th round of talks with farmer leers to resolve ongoing standoff. 

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