Farmers Protest Latest News: Major development! Government proposals rejected; Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Agra highways to be blocked by kisan union

In a major development in farmers' protest matter, Darshan Pal, President of Krantikari Kisan Union at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana border) said that they have rejected the government's proposals. Further, the Krantikari Kisan Union informed that it will block Delhi-Jaipur highway by 12th December. "On 14th December, BJP offices will be gheraoed, protest demonstrations will be held in many parts of the country. We are also giving a call to farmers from other parts of the country to reach Delhi," Farmer leaders said at Singhu border.

"Talks with farmers work in progress, hopefully it is in last stage"

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said the government is sensitive to the concerns of farmers as he expressed hope that ongoing deliberations with them, which he termed a "work in progress", over the three agriculture-related laws will yield some results soon. He said the government has held several rounds of talks with the farmers agitating against the three legislations and is keen to resolve their issues. "When the talks and negotiations are taking place, it is considered a work in progress. There is no running commentary on any such work in progress," he told reporters at a Cabinet briefing. "The government has discussed the concerns raised by farmers during six rounds of talks. The government is sensitive to their concerns and wants to resolve the issues raised by the farmers. This is a work in progress, (and) hopefully (it is) in the last stage," he said. He was asked about the proposal sent by the government to farmers after several rounds of talks.

Opposition delegation meets President, seeks repeal of farm laws

Meanwhile, a delegation of opposition parties including Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Left leaders on Wednesday met President Ram Nath Kovind seeking repeal of the three farm laws against which thousands of farmers have been protesting on various borders of the national capital.

The five-member delegation of opposition leaders included CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja and DMK leader TKS Elangovan, besides Gandhi and Pawar.

"We met the President and informed him of our view regarding the three farm laws. We have asked for their repeal. We informed the President that it is critical that they are taken back," Gandhi told reporters after meeting the President. He said the way the farm laws were passed in Parliament, "we feel it was an insult to farmers and that is why they are protesting in the cold weather against them". 

NCP leader Pawar said various political parties have requested President that these farm laws should be repealed as they were not discussed with either stakeholders or in the Select Committee of Parliament.

Yechury said, "We told President that the three farm laws were passed undemocratically in Parliament and have sought the repeal of these laws."

The opposition delegation was limited to five because of the COVID-19 situation.

The three farm laws enacted in September have been projected by the government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country.

However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandis, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.