Agitating farmers' meet with state yields no result

Talks between agitating farmers and Rajasthan government remained inconclusive on Tuesday. A three-hour long meeting was held in Jaipur, where the farmers' delegation and council of ministers discussed the 11 demands presented by the farmers. The main demand is waiver of loans, as already done in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, along with implementation of Swaminathan Committe. Farmers are also demanding that crops be purchased at a minimum support price in a timely manner. On the other hand, the chakka jam called by farmers was observed in several districts with Sikar serving as the epicentre. The farmers will continue with the agitation till an agreement is reached.

Discussions were held on the issue of loan waiver, however, the two could not reach an agreement. Addressing the media later, agriculture minister Prabhulal Saini said that state government has already agreed to fulfil over 80 per cent of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. He added that there had been discussions on the loan waiver, but there was no decision yet. Saini also noted that loan waiver announced in UP and Maharashtra was yet to be implemented.

Power minister Pushpendra Singh, who was also part of the talks, said that there was a difference in the ratio of the waivers in both the states and so the farmers are not yet clear on what they want.

Former MLA Amraram, who was leading the talks with the farmers, said that they are yet to reach an agreement. He blamed the government for the sufferingand questioned the government's lax attitude in calling for the talks when the farmers have been on a mahapadav since Sept 1.