Farmers’ protest | Direct dialogue will continue, says union leader

Both the government and farmer union leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to continue the direct dialogue process, according to a union leader participating in the ninth round of talks with Central ministers currently taking place at Vigyan Bhavan.

This is their first meeting after the Supreme Court ordered a stay on the implementation of the three contentious farm reform laws and set up a committee to resolve the issue. Farmer unions have refused to participate in the proceedings of the court-appointed committee but were apprehensive that the Centre would use the court’s order as an excuse to end the direct negotiation process. However, it has now been agreed that this process will continue.

Earlier in the morning, before the meeting began, Mr. Tomar told journalists that the Central government welcomed the Supreme Court’s order and will present its views before the committee appointed by the court. When asked about the farmer unions’ refusal to appear before the committee, he said that the court was the supreme institution in the country and everyone had a responsibility to commit to follow its directions.