In an try to interrupt the impasse, a panel of union ministers held fourth rounds of talks with the farm union leaders final night. The farmers have been protesting for the previous week. Among the opposite calls for of the farmers is a authorized assure of the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai held talks with the farm union leaders and the assembly was joined by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Centre Proposes Purchase Plan
Addressing the media after the five-hour-long assembly, Piyush Goyal mentioned the federal government has proposed the shopping for of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by authorities businesses at minimal help costs for 5 years after agreeing with farmers. The farmer leaders mentioned they may focus on the federal government’s proposal of their boards over the subsequent two days and thereafter, determine the long run plan of action.
“Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow ‘tur dal’, ‘urad dal’, ‘masoor dal’ or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years,” mentioned Goyal. He mentioned that there can be no cap on the acquisition amount and a portal can be developed for this and added that the transfer would save Punjab’s farming, enhance the groundwater desk, and save the land from getting barren.
Farmers To Consider Proposal
On the Centre’s proposal, farmer chief Sarwan Singh Pandher mentioned, “We will discuss in our forums on February 19-20 and take the opinion of experts regarding it and accordingly take a decision.” He mentioned that different calls for together with mortgage waivers are pending and hoped that these can be resolved within the subsequent two days. He additionally mentioned that the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march is at the moment on maintain, however will resume at 11 am on February 21 if all the problems will not be resolved.
Farmers Protest Background
Since February 13, protesting farmers from Punjab have been stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri factors alongside the state’s border with Haryana. Their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, initiated by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to claim their calls for, was interrupted by the police.
The farmers’ key calls for embody a authorized assure of Minimum Support Price (MSP), the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s suggestions, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no improve in electrical energy tariff, withdrawal of police instances, and looking for “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Additionally, they’re advocating for the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, of 2013, and compensation for the households of farmers who misplaced their lives throughout a earlier agitation in 2020-21. (With company inputs)