Nothing New in Govt’s Letter, Ready for Talks but Centre Must Offer Concrete Solution: Farmer Leaders

A day after the government again formally invited protesting farmers for talks to break the 24-day logjam on Delhi borders, their leaders said a decision on whether to participate in the talks would be taken in a day or two as there was nothing new in the offer.

Farmers began relay hunger strikes in all protest sites. They said they would make all toll free in Haryana on December 26 and 27 and would beat thalis when Prime Minister sits down to deliver his next Mann Ki Baat address on December 27.

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said the government, in its letter, mentioned that it wants to hold talks over its earlier proposal of amendments in the new farm laws. “On this issue (government’s proposal), we did not talk to them earlier. We are discussing how to respond to the letter,” Tikait said.