New Delhi, Jan. 21 -- In a major climb down, the Centre has proposed that the three controversial farm laws will be kept in abeyance for a minimum of 18 months and it will form a joint committee to look into other pending demands of the agitating farmers, including repeal and legal guarantee to minimum support price (MSP).

The Government proposed these initiatives in the 10th meeting between the Government and agitating farmers. But farmer leaders did not immediately accept the proposal and said they will revert after their internal consultation on Thursday.

The farmers wanted a complete withdrawal of the laws as a mere suspension of the laws for some period of time will not bring about any change, farmer leaders said on Wednesday after...