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Farmers to continue talks with govt, not with SC panel

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 1/21/2021 12:03:53 AM

NEW DELHI, Jan 19: The agitating farmer unions on Tuesday announced to meet the government in their tenth round of deferred talks on Wednesday at 2 PM while making it clear that nobody will go to meet the Supreme Court-appointed panel, which starts hearing the farmers opposed to the farm bills and supporters from Thursday.
A Supreme Court Bench, headed by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, is also to hold a sitting on Wednesday at 11 AM, listing the farmers' issue on top of its cause list.
After its first meeting on Tuesday to draw up its agenda, the Supreme Court-appointed panel decided to hold its first round of consultations with the farmers on Thursday, according to its member Dr Pramod Kumar Joshi.
Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesman Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday said the farmers did not approach the Supreme Court in the matter since they believe the government is competent enough to repeal the controversial laws and as such nobody would meet the committee appointed by it.
Meanwhile, key committee member Anil Ghanwat of Shetkari Sangathna said after the committee meeting that all three members agreed not to let their personal views on these laws come in the way of their deliberations with various stakeholders.
The agitating farmers continued their peaceful protest at Delhi borders for the 55th day. A team of Delhi Police met their leaders at the Singhu border with Haryana to dissuade them from their threatened Tractor march on January 26 in the light of the Supreme Court's stand that police has to sort out the matter.
The union leaders, however, told police that no tractor will enter the New Delhi area where the Republic Day parade is to be held and so there should be no fear of any disruption. They will carry out their Tractor march on the outer ring road of the capital that is far away from the Republic Day parade venue to cause any disturbance, the union leaders assured police. However, the police did not respond to their contention.