Talks between farmers and Union Ministers end without resolution; protests continue at Punjab and Haryana borders.
CHANDIGARH: Another round of talks between the protesting farmers and a group of union ministers over the pending demands of the farmers ended without a resolution to the year-long agitation at the Punjab and Haryana borders. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan said that the discussion ended on a positive note.
“The discussion with both farmers’ unions were positive. The welfare of farmers is a priority for the Modi government, and we have listened to the views of the farmer leaders,” Chouhan said, adding that talks with the farmer leaders would continue.
The next meeting has been scheduled for March 19 in Chandigarh.
According to available information, the union ministers had reportedly agreed to cover two more crops under the MSP scheme, but the farmers were adamant in their demand for a guaranteed MSP for all 23 notified crops.
The meeting, which lasted for two and a half hours, involved union ministers Shivraj Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi, and Piyush Goyal, along with a group of 28 farmer leaders led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher. However, no resolution was reached.
“The discussions were held in a positive atmosphere. We presented the Modi government’s priorities to the farmers and listened to their concerns. While the farmers have their own data, the central government has its own figures. Both sets of data will be analysed and compared,” Chouhan said after the meeting.
During the meeting, Chouhan, along with his cabinet colleagues, urged Dallewal to end his hunger strike. However, Dallewal remained firm on his stance, stating that he would continue his protest until a legal guarantee for MSP on all crops is ensured.
According to Chouhan, the farmer leaders presented figures and documents supporting their demands, citing data on procurement volumes, purchase prices, and market rates for various crops. However, discrepancies emerged between the figures presented by the farmers and those held by the central government.
“To resolve this, it was decided that central agencies would collect data from the farmers, and further discussions would take place in the next meeting on March 19,” Chouhan said. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also attended the meeting, stated that the discussion primarily revolved around the legal guarantee for MSP.
“All farmer leaders put forward their views on this crucial demand,” he said.
As the deadlock continues, the farmers have submitted a detailed document outlining their demands regarding MSP to the central government. With the next meeting set for March 19, all eyes are on whether the government and farmer unions can finally reach common ground.
Meanwhile, the farmer leaders have made it clear that their protest at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders will continue until their demands, including a guaranteed MSP and a loan waiver, are met. Dallewal arrived at the meeting in an ambulance and was brought to the conference hall on a stretcher. The hunger strike by Dallewal and the farmers’ agitation will continue.
