The representatives of the farmers’ organizations are meeting the Union Ministers today for the fourth round of talks. At the lunch break, the farmers said no to the foods organized by the government. “We are not accepting food or tea offered by the government. We have brought our own food,” a farmer leader said. Visuals from inside Vigyan Bhawan, where the meeting is being held, showed the farmers’ representatives assembled at a long table for a hurried lunch. “They offered us food, we denied and are having our langar, which we have brought with us,” another farmer leader said. The farmers, who have been waiting at the borders of the national capital for eight days, gave a presentation in the first half half of the meeting. In it, they had focused on the inadequacies of the law and why they are apprehensive about it, sources said.
The second half of the meeting will focus on the government's version, where agriculture minister Narendra Tomar, his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal and junior minister Som Parkash is expected to speak. Demanding a special session of parliament to real the laws, the farmers have said this was the "last chance" for the government. Sources have said the government is firm on backing the laws. But they are considering other possibilities that would help the farmers come on board. These could include a written assurance about the continuance of the Minimum Support Price, the biggest concern of the farmers. Sources said the government is also considering the farmers' demand to be able to approach the courts in case of a dispute over contract farming. Under the current rules, such a dispute can only be resolved by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Earlier today, Akali Dal stalwart and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday returned his Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the Centre’s new farm laws. In a separate announcement, dissident Akali leader and Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also said he will return the Padma Bhushan conferred on him last year. Earlier, some former Punjab sportsmen too have threatened to return their awards.