India / Hopeful that farmers will think positively and end protest: Union Minister

New Delhi: Narendra Singh Tomar met with PM Modi along with Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of fifth round of discussions with farmers' unions protesting against farm bills.

Ahead of the fifth round of talks with farmers', Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday met PM Narendra Modi along with Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Singh Tomar arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 am as farmers continued to protest for the 10th straight day, demanding the government must repeal the farm laws. The fifth round of talks with farmer’s leaders is scheduled at 2 pm later today.

On his way to the PM’s residence, Tomar expressed hope that the farmers would think positively over the Bills and end their agitation in New Delhi and the neighbouring states. The fourth round of talks between the Centre and the farmer's unions was held on December 3, which concluded without any significant progress.

No progress after the fourth meeting

After the meeting, Tomar stated that the government is willing to discuss objections pertaining to strengthening the APMC, regulating the private Mandis, dispute resolution and apprehensions about MSP. He asserted that the Centre would reach a final outcome after the 5th round of talks. 

Meanwhile, the Kisan Unions have called for Bharat Bandh on December 8 in protest against the three contentious agrarian laws. The farmers' bodies also stated that they will burn effigies of PM Modi on December 5 as a part of the protests. The Kisan Unions claimed that they are not satisfied with the amendments that have been proposed by the government and called for the withdrawing farm laws. Earlier, on December 3, the meeting concluded.