New Delhi: The fourth round of talks between farmers and the central government continued till late last night. Farmers do not see any results even after this meeting. However, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who attended the meeting, described the meeting as positive.
Piyush Goyal said, “We have had positive discussions with Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh and other farmer leaders with ideas and suggestions. We talked in detail on how to take forward the work done by the Prime Minister in the last 10 years. The Central Government has proposed diversification of crops to the farmers, under which the crops grown will be purchased at MSP.
Farmer leaders say that farmers will discuss this proposal of the government. Farmers also say that their bank demands have not been discussed yet.
14 representatives of farmers were involved in the fourth round of talks held between farmers and the central government yesterday. Three ministers from the central government and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann were also present in the meeting.
What farmers said:
Farmer leaders say that they will discuss the proposal given by the government with all their farmers for the next 2 days and then decide the future strategy.
After the meeting, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “We will discuss this on different forums on 19-20 February and take the opinion of experts. Only after that we will take a decision on this. There has been no discussion yet on loan waiver and remaining demands, we hope that some consensus will be reached on these issues in the next 2 days.
Sarwan Singh Pandher further said that the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march has been postponed for the time being but if all the issues are not resolved then it will be implemented on 21st February at 11 am.
What did Union Minister Piyush Goyal say:
Piyush Goyal said that the panel has proposed an agreement to the farmers. Under which government agencies will purchase pulses, maize and cotton from them at minimum support price for five years.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Piyush Goyal said, “The farmers’ union will tell us their decision by morning. We will also have discussions with NCCF and NAFED after returning to Delhi…”
#WATCH | Chandigarh: Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "The farmers' union will tell us their decision by morning. We will also have discussions with NCCF and NAFED after returning to Delhi..." pic.twitter.com/rSzqom0bMq
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
He said that there will be no limit on procurement and a portal will be prepared for this.
