Center Asks Farmers For Fifth Discussion

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda announced on Wednesday that the central government is open to discussing all issues raised by the Punjab farmers and invited them for a fifth round of talks. He emphasized the need to find a solution through dialogue.

“Following the fourth round, the government is prepared to address all concerns such as MSP, crop diversification, stubble issue, and FIR in the upcoming fifth round of talks. I extend an invitation to the farmer leaders for further discussion,” Arjun Munda stated in an interview with ANI.

“I urge them to maintain peace and seek resolution through dialogue,” he added.

Although the farmers have not yet responded to the invitation, Munda appealed for progress in the talks.

“There has been no response yet from the farmers’ side. We appeal to move forward with discussions and present our stance. The government is also keen to move ahead and find a solution,” the Union Minister remarked.

Minister Munda is part of the team of union ministers engaging in discussions with farmer leaders, including Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai.

Earlier in the day, Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, reiterated the demand for a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) and assured a peaceful approach moving forward.

As the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march resumed on Wednesday, Pandher stated that only the leaders would be marching towards the national capital.

“We have decided that no farmer or youth will march forward. Leaders will proceed ahead. We will not attack our Jawans. We will proceed peacefully. All of this can end if the central government enacts a law on MSP,” Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasized in an interview with ANI.

He also appealed to the protesting farmers to move forward peacefully.

After the fourth round of talks concluded without resolution, the farmers resumed their march on Wednesday morning.

On February 19, farmer leaders rejected the Centre’s proposal on MSP purchase, stating it was not in favor of the farmers.

“After analyzing both forums, we have concluded that the government’s proposal lacks substance. Our government imports palm oil worth Rs 1.75 crore from outside, which also harms the general public’s health. If this money is allocated to the farmers to grow oilseed crops and MSP is announced, then this money can be utilized here. This proposal is not in favor of the farmers. We reject it,” farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal asserted.

“If the government does not provide a legal guarantee of MSP, it means that the farmers of the country will continue to be exploited. This is unacceptable,” he added.

Following the Centre’s proposal to purchase crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), farmer leaders rejected the proposal on Monday evening, stating that it did not offer anything substantial for them.

Meanwhile, protesting farmers were observed wearing protective gear, including masks, safety glasses, and headphones, to shield themselves from the security forces’ resistance measures.

In response to the protests, security forces utilized tear gas shells, water cannons, and multi-layer barricades at various Delhi borders.

Numerous farmers and police personnel sustained injuries during clashes that occurred since the march began on February 13.

The protesting farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu border near Ambala since the march commenced.

The two sides — ministers and farmer leaders — previously met on February 8, 12, and 15, but talks remained inconclusive.