Union Minister Chouhan to Reengage with 28 Farmer Unions in Chandigarh Today
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Synopsis
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is set to meet with farmers again in Chandigarh to discuss their ongoing demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. This meeting is part of the Government of India’s outreach efforts.
Key Takeaways
- Minister Chouhan's commitment to farmer welfare.
- Legal assurance on MSP remains a priority.
- Farmer unions have longstanding demands.
- Previous meetings resulted in positive discussions.
- Government promised to review data submitted by farmers.
Chandigarh, March 19 (NationPress) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will once again convene with farmers in Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, on Wednesday as part of the Government of India’s effort to address their longstanding requests, which include a legal assurance on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
The previous meeting, the second round, was amicably conducted between a three-member Central delegation, headed by Minister Chouhan, on February 22 and concluded with a constructive outlook.
In addition to Chouhan, two other Central ministers -- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi -- joined a delegation from the Punjab government, which included three ministers, in discussions with 28 representatives of two farmer forums, led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
During the last meeting, Union Minister Chouhan emphasized that the government “is dedicated to the welfare of farmers, and it has been continuously making necessary policy interventions to tackle the challenges faced by the farmers”.
At that assembly, the farmer leaders reiterated their appeals to the government, while the government requested the pertinent reports and data they referenced, which the farmer leaders agreed to furnish.
The government then pledged to review the reports and data, after which discussions would progress, as stated in an official announcement.
The Punjab government’s delegation was represented by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, and Food and Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak.
Farmer unions -- Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha -- have been stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri, the border points between Punjab and Haryana, since February 13 of the previous year, after security forces prevented them from marching to Delhi to advocate for their demands.
Earlier, on February 14, a meeting involving a Central team led by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and farmers’ representatives occurred in Chandigarh, with both parties asserting that it was conducted in a friendly atmosphere.
These discussions resumed nearly a year after a stalemate. Previously, farmer leaders presented 10 demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP, execution of the Swaminathan Commission Report, debt forgiveness for farmers and agricultural workers, a pension system for farmers and laborers, annulment of cases filed against farmers during the 2020-21 protests, and compensation and employment for the families of farmers who perished during the protests.
Leader Dallewal, who was fasting, arrived at the meeting venue in an ambulance from the Khanauri border.
