Govt Rules Out Repeal of New Farm Laws, Says Ready to Resume Talks on Provisions

Even as the farmers stay undeterred and continue their agitation for months, the Central government on Friday made a major announcement and ruled out repealing the three new farm laws but said the government is ready to resume talks with protesting farmer unions on provisions of the legislations. This was announced by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday.

"Government of India is ready for talks with farmers. Except for repeal, if any farmers' union wants to talk on provisions of the Act even at midnight, Narendra Singh Tomar will welcome it," the agriculture minister said in a video posted on his Twitter account.

The government and unions have held 11 rounds of talks, the last being on January 22, to break the deadlock and end the farmers' protest. Talks have not resumed following widespread violence during a tractor rally by protesting farmers on January 26.