Farmers' protest LIVE: Congress is doing 'khoon ki kheti', says Tomar

Farmers' protest LIVE updates: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday said the nationwide protest will be peaceful

10:23 PM

Best way to move forward on farmers' protests is dialogue: Suresh Prabhu

The best way to move forward over the ongoing farmers' protests in Delhi is dialogue and the NDA government is willing to talk to the ryots to resolve the issue, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Friday, according to PTI. "I would request my farmers' friends that the best way to move forward is dialogue.If there is any misconception, any misunderstanding, anything to deal with farmers, it can be discussed through dialogue," he told reporters here.

The exercise with regard to the new farm laws is to create one market for the country which would benefit the farmers and provide more opportunities to sell their products, he said. "Actually speaking, the whole exercise is to create one market for the country which farmers will benefit.It also means that providing more opportunities for farmers to sell their products not only through one source that is Agriculture Price Market Committee but through multiple sources.I think it should be helping the farmers," he said. But, he fully appreciates that the farmers have some grievance and the government is willing to talk to them, Prabhu said.

10:06 PM

Govt agrees to hold discussion on farmers' issue: Report

Government agrees to hold a discussion on farmers' issue after the participation of Opposition in discussions on Presidential Address and Union Budget, and consideration of four Ordinances in the Parliament: ANI quoting government sources

9:01 PM

Suspension of mobile Internet services in Haryana's Sonipat, Jhajjar districts till 5 pm tomorrow

Suspension of mobile Internet services in Haryana's Sonipat, Jhajjar districts to continue till 5 pm tomorrow: PTI

8:49 PM

Narendra Singh Tomar gave detailed info on every aspect of farm laws in Rajya Sabha: PM Modi

8:35 PM

Govt ready to discuss farm laws separately in Lok Sabha: Agriculture Minister

As the deadlock in the Lok Sabha continued for the fourth straight day with the Opposition protesting against the three contentious farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar said the issue will be resolved as the government is ready to hold a separate discussion on the matter in the House.

 

The Minister said there has been a compromise with the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and its proceedings are now running smoothly. "I am confident that a similar understanding will be developed for the Lok Sabha too."

 

He said that the government is also ready to hold discussions with farmers to resolve their issues related to the three farm laws. The Minister, while talking to the media inside the Parliament premises, said the government is keen to break the deadlock both in the House and the Delhi borders where thousands of farmers are protesting against these laws.

8:11 PM

No road blockade in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand tomorrow: Rakesh Tikait

8:10 PM

Lok Sabha proceedings hit for fourth consecutive day as Opposition protest against farm laws continues

Lok Sabha proceedings were a virtual washout on Friday as relentless protest by Opposition members against the Centre's three farm laws continued for the fourth consecutive day, even as signs emerged that normal functioning could resume from Monday.

 

7:45 PM

Delhi Police says two persons died, one committed suicide during farmers' protest: Agriculture Minister

The Delhi Police has informed about death of two persons and one suicide case during the farmers' protest against the three farm laws, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Friday. To a query in Rajya Sabha whether the government would provide financial assistance from the Kisan Kalyan Fund to the families of the deceased farmers, he answered in the negative, reported the PTI.

 

"There is no specific information available about the death of farmers agitating in different states of the country. However, Delhi Police has informed about death of two persons and one suicide during the farmers' protest," Tomar said in a written reply to the House.

 

To a separate query whether the government has any data on total number of farmers' deaths and cases of suicide at the farmers' protest against the three farm laws from November 2020-January 2021, Tomar said his ministry has "no record".

 

7:19 PM

No Chakka Jaam in Delhi-NCR, all roads leading inside Delhi to remain open: Farmer Union

No Chakka Jaam in Delhi-NCR, all roads leading inside Delhi to remain open except the ones where farmers' protest are already going on: Samyukta Kisan Morcha

7:08 PM

All national and state highways across India will be blocked: Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Chakka Jam tomorrow

The 'Chakka Jam' on February 6 to last from 12-3 pm, all national and state highways across the country will be blocked. Emergency and essential services, like ambulance and school bus, will not be stopped. Chakka Jam will be peaceful. No Chakka Jaam in Delhi-NCR, all roads leading inside Delhi to remain open except the ones where farmers' protest are already going on: ANI quoted Samyukta Kisan Morcha as saying.

7:05 PM

Centre held consultations with states, farmers before bringing farm laws: Agriculture Minister

The Centre followed "due procedure" before bringing the three new agri laws, and held consultations with states and farmers for facilitating barrier-free trade in farm produce to provide choice to the farming community, Parliament was informed on Friday.

 

"Due procedure had been followed while formulating the Ordinances/ Bills," Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

6:37 PM

Lok Sabha proceedings a washout for another day as oppn's protest against farm laws continues

Lok Sabha proceedings were a virtual washout on Friday as relentless protest by opposition members against the Centre's three farm laws continued for another day, according to a PTI report. Lok Sabha was adjourned first till 6 pm after opposition members disrupted the proceedings demanding repeal of the laws and shouted slogans from the Well of the House.

 

As soon as the House convened at 4 PM, members from the Congress, Left parties and the DMK rushed to the Well raising slogans against the new laws and holding placards. Speaker Om Birla continued with the Question Hour with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan responding to supplementary questions on COVID-19 vaccination.

 

As Opposition members continued to raise slogans, Birla appealed to them to participate in the Question Hour as an important issue related to vaccination was being discussed.

 

While Congress, DMK and Left members were in the Well, members from the TMC did not participate in raising slogans. Around 4.15 PM, Birla adjourned the House till 6 PM. With no letup in the protests when the House reconvened in the evening, the Speaker adjourned its proceedings till Monday after his plea to opposition members to go back to their seats went unheeded.

6:36 PM

Congress party extends support to 'Chakka Jam' called by farmer unions tomorrow

Congress party extends their support to the 'Chakka Jam' called by farmer unions tomorrow

6:03 PM

Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha demand repeal of farm reforms

Various opposition parties like the Shiv Sena, SAD, NCP, Samajwadi Party and Left parties on Friday demanded in Rajya Sabha that the three new farm laws be repealed and fresh ones brought after wider consultations.

 

Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address, the members of opposition parties attacked the government for dubbing the farmers protesting against the farm laws as "anti-nationals" and for "defaming" their agitation.

 

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut alleged that anyone speaking the truth is dubbed as a "traitor" or "anti-national" and that cases of sedition have been slapped against those criticising the government. READ ON...

5:42 PM

Farmers in Bihar refuse to join stir despite Opposition attempts

Opposition parties' leaders in Bihar have organised human chains, tractor rallies, Raj Bhavan march, dharnas and protests in support of the farmers' agitation at the Delhi borders, but have failed to enthuse the farmers here to join the stir. They are still maintaining a distance from the protests, IANS reported.

 

Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, has appealed to the state's farmers to join the farmers' agitation. Apart from Tejashwi, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, a senior leader of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), who is involved in the farmers' agitation at Delhi's borders, came to Bihar and urged the farmers here to join the movement, but they are not enthusiastic about it. Many farmers in the region are not even aware of this movement.