Team News Riveting
Chandigarh, February 14
The crucial meeting between the protesting farmer unions and the Centre was held here in a cordial atmosphere and ended on a good note on Friday evening.
The farmer unions included Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The two sides decided to meet again on February 22. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is likely to take part in the next round of meeting. The talks between the two sides resumed after a year.
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi led the Central team, while the two farmer forums – KMM and SKM (Non-Political) were led by Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The farmer leaders reached the venue in an ambulance from the Khanauri border. Besides the two, 26 other farmer leaders participated in the meeting.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, DGP Gaurav Yadav and Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) Anurag Verma also participated in the deliberations.
The farmer leaders came prepared with 10 demands, including legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission Report, debt waiver for farmers and farm workers, a pension scheme for farmers and labourers, cancellation of cases registered against farmers during the 2020-21 protests, and compensation and job to kin of farmers who had died during the protests.
In a post on social media platform X, Joshi said: “Held a significant meeting in Chandigarh with the United Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, engaging in constructive discussions with farmer representatives. “Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, we highlighted key decisions for farmers’ welfare and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dialogue. I urged and requested Shri Jagjit Singh Dallewal to give up his hunger strike as talks have begun on a positive note,” he added.
The Union Minister said the next crucial meeting will be held on February 22 under the leadership of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The Centre remains committed to addressing farmers’ concerns with sincerity and utmost resolve, Joshi said.
