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regular-article-logo Saturday, 04 May 2024

Khattar hopeful about next round of talks as farmers to decide course of action

‘Government ready for discussion if leaders come forward beyond yes or no’

Our Bureau, Agencies New Delhi Published 19.12.20, 09:44 PM
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar (right) with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (left) in a meeting regarding ongoing farm protests on Saturday, at New Delhi.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar (right) with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (left) in a meeting regarding ongoing farm protests on Saturday, at New Delhi. PTI

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said there can be a way out for the next round of talks between the government and the farmers, while union leaders said they will decide their course of action within the next two to three days.

Khattar’s comments came after he met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar for the second time this month, the first one being on December 8.

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“In a day or two, there can be a way out for talks. The government is ready for discussion if farmer union leaders come forward beyond yes or no,” the Haryana government quoted him as saying.

The chief minister said he discussed the ongoing protests with Tomar and added, “Effort is to find solutions through dialogue.”

“The government can think of changes to the farm laws more than what it has done,” he said.

Meanwhile, farmers’ union leaders said discussions are on to decide their next strategy. Their comments came days after the Supreme Court said it was thinking of setting up an “impartial and independent” panel of agriculture experts and peasants' unions to resolve the deadlock.

Farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka said they are seeking legal opinions on the issue.

“Our meetings are being held for the next course of action. We are hopeful that in the next two-three days, we will have clarity on whether we should be part of a committee as suggested by the court,” Kakka told PTI.

Balbir Singh, another union leader, said that the farmers would carry out their protests till their demands are met.

“We are ready for a long haul. We are here for our rights. We are in the process to decide our stand following the court's order,” he said.

Meanwhile, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Saturday claimed that 33 farmers participating in the ongoing protests have so far died since November 26 due to accidents, illness and cold weather conditions.

According to AIKS, ‘Homage Day’ will be observed in different parts of the country on Sunday to pay tributes to those farmers who lost their lives.

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