The stalemate continues. Even after the seven hours of talks between the Centre and the representatives of 30 farmers’ organizations from Punjab on Friday, the farmers’ protest against the Centre’s farm laws and other issues is expected to continue. Also, the rail services in Punjab continue to be affected with both sides sticking to their ground.
The meeting, attended by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, and Union Minister of State of Commerce and & Industries Som Parkash (also Hoshiarpur MP), started at 11 am with extensive talks held on resolving the ongoing rail traffic disruption and blockade in Punjab but ended inconclusively.
Even as the farmers’ representatives demanded resumption of goods trains in Punjab while maintaining that passenger trains would not be allowed to pass till their demands were met, the Centre remained adamant on its stand of resuming both goods and passenger trains services.
To discuss and decide on the future course of action, Punjab’s farmers’ outfits will hold its next meeting on November 18 (Wednesday) at Chandigarh. At the same time, the farmers’ organizations declared to go ahead with the all-India call of ‘Delhi Chalo’ on November 26-27.
“The meeting was held in a very cordial and positive atmosphere. We put forth out points and the Ministers also made their points. We discussed each and every point threadbare. However, a decision on such an important matter cannot be taken in just one meeting,” said Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), Rajewal, president Balbir Singh Rajewal after the meeting, adding that another round of meeting is expected to be held soon.
The farmers’ leaders, represented by a panel of three including Dr Darshan Pal, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Kulwant Singh Sandhu, put forth five demands before the Centre — including repealing Centre’s three farm legislations, restoration of rail services in Punjab, withdrawing strict laws for stubble burning like five-year jail term and Rs one crore fine, among others.
A farmer leader, who did not wish to be named, told The Pioneer that the Central Government has also proposed to set up a panel in which the matter will be discussed. “The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere. We kept all our points in the debate, on many of which the Ministers had no answer…The talks would continue,” said the leader adding that the decision about passenger trains would be taken on November 18.
“This is the first meeting to be held and the issue is expected to be resolved. The Central Government has promised to form a committee to resolve this issue,” said Bhartiya Kisan Union-Ekta (Dakonda) president Buta Singh Burjgill adding that the meeting would be reconvened by the Centre after November 18.
Bhartiya Kisan Manch president Jathedar Boota Singh Shadipur said that the farmers' unions wanted services of goods trains to resume as Punjab was suffering due to the blockade.