Farmers Protest: Agri Minister says hopeful for positive outcome at January 4 meeting

Narendra Singh Tomar hoped for a "positive outcome" from the upcoming round of talks with the farmers.

On Friday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said he was unable to predict the result of the January 4 meeting with farmers protesting against three controversial agricultural laws adopted by the government of Modi. He hoped, however, for a "positive outcome" from the upcoming round of talks with the farmers.

Narendra Singh Tomar, speaking to the media, said the central government was confident of a good outcome at the next meeting of the protesting farmers' unions, scheduled to take place on 4 January.

'I hope that (at the meeting) whatever decision is made will be in the interest of the country and of the farmers,' said the Union Minister for Agriculture.

Tomar said, "We will see" regarding farmers' unions sticking to their demand for the abolition of three farm laws and refusing the government's plan to propose alternatives.

Farmers' unions advise of firm moves and announce different measures

Up the stakes ahead of the next round of talks, farmers unions today warned that if the government fails to address its key demands for the abolition of three new farm laws and a legal promise to MSP at the January 4 meeting, they will start shutting down all malls and petrol pumps in Haryana.

Speaking at a press conference at the Singhu border protest site, farmers' union leaders said that just five percent of the concerns they have raised have been addressed in government meetings so far.

In a statement a few days before Republic Day festivities, they outlined several demonstration measures over a month if their key demands are not fulfilled.