Farmers' Talks End on Positive Note : Discussions with Farmers Conclude Positively; Next Meeting Set for March 19

Chandigarh, Feb 22 (NationPress) The second round of discussions between a three-member Central government delegation, headed by Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the protesting farmer unions concluded here after three hours on Saturday night, characterized by a positive atmosphere and cordial interactions.

Following the meeting, Chouhan informed the press that the next meeting is scheduled for March 19. Alongside Chouhan, two other Central ministers, Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi, along with a delegation from the Punjab government—comprising three ministers—engaged in discussions with 28 representatives from the two farmer forums, focusing on their long-standing demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

In remarks to the farmers, Chouhan emphasized that the government is dedicated to their welfare and has been consistently making necessary policy adjustments to tackle the challenges faced by the farmers. “The Narendra Modi-led government is devoted to the farmers' welfare. We have been receptive to the views expressed by Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher. We had a fruitful discussion,” Chouhan stated, adding, “The discussions will proceed, with the next meeting set for March 19.”

Despite the progress, farmer leaders reiterated their demands and requested the government to review the reports and data they presented, which farmer leaders agreed to provide. The government assured that it would analyze these reports and data to inform future discussions.

After the meeting, Chouhan reiterated that the talks between the government and farmers would maintain a positive attitude and cordial approach, with the next meeting scheduled for March 19.

The Punjab delegation included Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, and Food and Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak. The 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 last 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 farmer representatives took place in Chandigarh, with both sides claiming it was conducted in a cordial atmosphere. Those discussions resumed after nearly a year of stagnation. During that meeting, farmer leaders put forth 10 demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP, execution of the Swaminathan Commission Report, debt relief for farmers and agricultural workers, a pension scheme for farmers and laborers, the annulment of cases filed against farmers during the 2020-21 protests, and compensation plus employment for families of farmers who perished during the protests.

Dallewal, a fasting leader, arrived at the meeting location in an ambulance from the Khanauri border. The day prior, farmers demonstrated their strength to commemorate the death anniversary of farm activist Shubhkaran Singh, who succumbed to bullet wounds when farmers, attempting to reach Delhi, were halted by the Haryana Police at the Khanauri border.

The Haryana Police refuted claims that the individual died from a bullet fired by them. However, the Punjab Police entered a zero First Information Report (FIR) regarding the death.