THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 17
Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai are set to engage in the fourth round of talks with farmer leaders in Chandigarh on Sunday at around 6 pm, aiming to address the various demands raised by the farming community. These demands include a guaranteed law on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 23 crops, debt relief, and the withdrawal of cases filed during the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation.
Union ministers Arjun Munda and Anurag Thakur expressed optimism for the upcoming discussions during their statements on Friday, anticipating positive outcomes. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, expressed confidence in fostering a conducive atmosphere during the upcoming meeting, highlighting the meaningful discussions that transpired during the previous round held in Chandigarh.
Reflecting on the discussions, Union Minister Arjun Munda underscored the constructive nature of the dialogue, affirming the commitment to finding peaceful resolutions to all issues.
However, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher reiterated on Saturday the critical demand for the Centre to enact an ordinance ensuring a legal guarantee for MSP, echoing the sentiments of farmers encamped at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of the Punjab-Haryana border.
Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday announced plans for farmers to stage dharnas in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand on February 21 to emphasize their demands, including the legal guarantee of MSP.
Following the last meeting held on Thursday, which extended until 1:30 am, Union Ministers, farmer leaders, and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann characterized the discussions as positive, indicating the need for further deliberations.