Ninth round of Centre-farmers talks end inconclusive; next meeting on January 19

The ninth round of talks between the Central government and the agitating farmers ended inconclusively on Friday. The two sides will meet again on January 19.

During the meeting, protesting farmer unions stuck to their demand for the repeal of three contentious farm laws.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said, “Our demands of repealing three farm laws remain the same. We will not go to the Committee constituted by the Supreme Court, but continue to hold talks with the government.”

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, “today’s talks with farmers unions were not decisive. We will hold talks again on January 19. We are positive to reach a solution through talks.” 

This was the first meeting between the two sides after the Supreme Court order on January 12, which stayed the implementation of the three farm laws. The Court also formed a four-member committee to find a solution to the matter. 

On Thursday, farmer leader Bhupinder Singh Mann, one of the four members of the Supreme Court-appointed committee on farm laws, had recused himself from the panel.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting against the three farm laws on the borders of Delhi since November 26.