The North News
Chandigarh, March 19
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that discussions with farmers’ unions were held in a constructive environment, with another round of talks scheduled for May 4 to further address their demands. The meeting in Chandigarh on Wednesday included representatives from 28 farmers’ unions and was attended by Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi, along with Punjab Ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak and Gurmeet Singh Khudian. The Central government said it seeks inter-ministerial discussions on MSP and related issues.
Providing details of the discussions, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the Centre has appointed a central officer to facilitate further negotiations, as the issues raised concern farmers across the country. He confirmed that the next meeting would involve consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
Amid speculation of possible action at the Shambu and Khanauri borders, Cheema dismissed concerns, reiterating that talks were conducted in a positive atmosphere.
Farmers are pressing for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt waivers, pensions for farmers and agricultural labourers, a freeze on electricity tariff hikes, withdrawal of police cases against protesters, justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence in Uttar Pradesh, the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.
