• By Vivek Raj
  • Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:05 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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The fourth round of talks between the protesting farmers' leaders and the Union government concluded late Sunday night. The meeting, which lasted for several hours, saw the participation of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The discussions, held at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh, aimed to address the ongoing farmers' agitation and the demands put forth by the farmers' unions.

What the Government Proposed in the Meet:

During the meeting, the panel of Union ministers proposed a five-year plan involving the purchase of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices (MSP). According to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, cooperative societies like the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) would enter into contracts with farmers for the purchase of crops such as tur dal, urad dal, masoor dal, and maize.

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The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) will also buy cotton from farmers at MSP for five years through legal agreements. The government highlighted that there would be no restrictions on the quantity purchased, and a dedicated portal would be developed to streamline the process. These measures are intended to safeguard Punjab's farming community, enhance groundwater levels, and prevent land degradation.

What Farmers Are Saying After the Meeting:

After the conclusion of the meeting, Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, stated that farmers would evaluate the government's proposal over the next two days. Pandher highlighted the need for consultations with fellow farmers and experts before reaching a decision. He reiterated that the 'Delhi Chalo' march scheduled for February 21 would proceed if a satisfactory resolution is not achieved.

“We will discuss proposals given by Centre with fellow farmers, take opinions of experts…We will discuss on this (government's proposal) over the next two days and the government will also deliberate. We hope for a positive result, else we will continue with our Delhi Chalo march,” Pandher said.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, another farmer leader, said that the government's proposal on MSP would be deliberated within farmers' forums and with experts. He said that the march to Delhi would continue until all demands are met.

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What are Farmers' Demands:

The protesting farmers, represented by over 200 unions including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been demanding several reforms including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, and farm debt waivers.