THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 19
The deadlock between farmers and the Center persists as farmer leaders on Monday rejected the Center’s proposal to introduce Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for pulses, maize, and cotton. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, demanded MSP guarantees for all 23 crops, citing the Center’s proposal as not in the farmers’ best interests. Additionally, the leader announced the resumption of the Delhi Chalo March on February 21.
During the press conference at Shambhu Border, Dallewal conveyed that after thorough discussions within both forums, it was determined that the government’s proposal did not align with the interests of farmers. As a result, the proposal was unanimously rejected.”
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher raised concerns over the suspension of Internet services in seven districts of Punjab. Pandher urged the Punjab government to clarify its position on the matter and questioned whether they had authorized the suspension or were in favor of it. He also questioned the possibility of collaboration with Haryana in this regard. Pandher stressed that the suspension of internet services in Punjab is unjustified, asserting, “I do not believe the Centre has the authority to suspend internet services without consulting the state government.”
The Central government unveiled its plan to introduce MSP for pulses, maize, and cotton during negotiations with farmer leaders in Chandigarh. Union Minister Piyush Goyal disclosed the offer after marathon talks that extended past midnight, stating that cooperatives such as the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) would engage in five-year contracts with farmers. “Under the plan, cooperatives would procure produce at government-set minimum support prices (MSPs) without any quantity limits,” Goyal explained, affirming the government’s commitment to purchasing arhar, tur, urad, cotton, and maize at guaranteed MSPs.
Goyal commended the constructive atmosphere of the discussions and underscored the government’s welfare initiatives alongside addressing key farmer demands. The fourth round of deliberations, involving Union ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai, along with a delegation of farmers and labor union representatives, commenced at 8:30 pm on February 18 and culminated in a new proposal for farmers around 1 am on February 19. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also participated in the talks.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh advocated for ensuring MSPs for alternative crops to safeguard farmers’ interests. Following a meeting attended by Union ministers and representatives of various farmer unions, the Chief Minister highlighted the import of pulses from Mozambique and Colombia, totaling over Rs 2 billion dollars. He emphasized that providing MSPs for these crops could position Punjab as a leader in pulse production, potentially catalyzing a second green revolution in the country. However, he cautioned against the adverse effects of overexploitation of fertile soil and water, drawing from Punjab’s experiences during the previous green revolution.