Consensus Reached on Several Demands, But MSP Guarantee Remains Unresolved in Farmer-Central Minister Talks
In a cordial meeting held at MGSIPA, Chandigarh, between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and a panel of Central ministers, including Food and Civil Supplies Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, and Minister of State Nityanand Rai, consensus was reached on several demands raised by the agitating farmers. The demands included withdrawing cases against farmers and punitive measures for those selling spurious seeds.
While addressing the media, Chief Minister Mann expressed satisfaction with the open discussions and stated, “A consensus was reached on the demands presented by the farmers. However, the major demand for MSP guarantee on all crops did not see a consensus, as it is deemed a policy matter.” Farmer union leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal confirmed that their plan for the Dilli Chalo protest on February 13 remained unchanged.
Minister Piyush Goyal acknowledged that the MSP issue is a policy matter and stated that a decision would be made after further discussions in Delhi. He emphasized the positive atmosphere of the meeting, marking the first instance of central ministers engaging directly with farmers in Punjab ahead of the proposed protest.
The Chief Minister, addressing the ongoing concerns, clarified that policy decisions cannot be made in such meetings, but discussions were held on farmers’ demands, including MSP. He also highlighted the need for the Centre to allow Punjab to cultivate pulses and provide MSP for them to address stubble burning.
The ministers assured the farmers of a response before February 13 and expressed their commitment to further discussions. The Chief Minister asserted that the committee of ministers was convened to prevent a recurrence of past agitations, emphasizing the importance of dialogue.
The government’s efforts to engage in open discussions were appreciated by farmer representatives, who maintained their preparations for the Dilli Chalo protest while awaiting a positive response from the government.
