In the Ambala/Chandigarh region, participants in the ‘Delhi Chalo’ movement expressed their disapproval of the government’s proposition regarding the acquisition of pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP. Notably, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a leading force in the 2020-21 agitation, outright rejected the offer.
During the fourth round of discussions between the Central Government and farmer representatives in Chandigarh on Sunday, a novel proposal was presented. However, following deliberations at the Shambhu border meeting, farmer groups concluded that the proposal lacked novelty. They contend that it is inappropriate to exclude the remaining crops from the guaranteed MSP framework.
Leaders argue that the government’s claimed financial burden is unfounded, asserting that farmers stand to gain no advantage from the proposal. Their insistence remains on securing an MSP guarantee for 23 crops through legislation.
In the latest round of talks, a ministerial trio proposed government agencies purchasing pulses, maize, and cotton at minimum support prices (MSP) for a five-year period, subject to a formal agreement with farmers. Despite farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher’s statement on considering the government’s proposal, he maintained their steadfast commitment to demanding legislation ensuring MSP.
Regrettably, the SKM dismissed the government’s proposition, characterizing it as an attempt to “divert and dilute” their MSP demand, reaffirming their adherence to the ‘C-2 plus 50 per cent’ formula advocated in the Swaminathan Commission report.
Beyond the MSP guarantee, farmers are advocating for the realization of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and laborers, agricultural debt relief, stable electricity tariffs, the withdrawal of legal actions, justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who perished during the 2020-21 agitation.
In the aftermath of the four-hour-plus meeting, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai acknowledged the complexity and policy-driven nature of the farmers’ additional demands, underscoring the need for in-depth deliberations.
Goyal detailed plans for cooperative societies like NCCF and NAFED to engage in contracts with farmers cultivating specific crops, ensuring MSP purchases for the next five years. Additionally, the Cotton Corporation of India would buy cotton from farmers at MSP under a legal agreement for a similar timeframe.
Despite these proposals, Pandher, speaking at the Shambhu point, affirmed farmers’ intent to scrutinize the government’s proposal while unwaveringly standing by their call for MSP legislation. Protesting farmers from Punjab remain encamped at Shambhu and Khanauri points on the Punjab-Haryana border since February 13.
The SKM, in a statement, rejected the government’s offer, accusing it of attempting to sidetrack their MSP demand, emphasizing their unwavering stance for MSP on all crops with guaranteed procurement.
Expressing concerns over police actions at Shambhu and Khanauri border points, SKM called for the release of detained farmers and the restoration of mobile internet services in seven Haryana districts. They declared intentions to protest at BJP offices in the state on February 21. The Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until February 19.
In Kurukshetra, Haryana BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni urged the inclusion of oilseeds and bajra in the government’s proposal. He also pressed for Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s participation in meetings between Union ministers and farmer leaders, drawing a parallel with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann’s involvement. Mann, during Sunday’s meeting, advocated for a legal MSP guarantee to safeguard farmers’ interests.
