Farmers' protest: Govt may have ‘Plan B’ ready

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 9

After several rounds of fruitless negotiations with farmers, while the Centre appears to be waiting for the outcome of the January 11 Supreme Court hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the three farm laws, it also seems to have a “Plan B” ready.

Sources indicate if nothing works out by January 15, the government may consider bringing amendments (as proposed to the farmers) to the three laws and the ordinance on air quality management in the Budget session. “But it is certain that there will be no repeal (of the three Acts),” the sources say.

The ongoing agitation is an “undesirable” situation for any popular dispensation, but the government believes it will be able to “tide it over”. If laws are amended, it will be a proof of the BJP’s intent towards the farmers.

The government is also willing to have a joint 10-member panel to “discuss and make changes in the farm laws”.

Having relented on the proposed power Act, stubble burning ordinance and amendments to Acts, this is about as far the government is willing to bend. Any further concessions will end uo in “opening possibilities of more protests.”