Bhagwant Mann highlighted that farmers have emphasized the need for a guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the purchase of pulses after the fourth round of talks between Union Ministers and farmer leaders in Chandigarh, Punjab. Speaking to the media on Monday, Mann, representing the farmers, stated that discussions lasted for five hours, during which he advocated for the interests of Punjab. He stressed the necessity of a five-year guarantee for NAFED, NCCF, and the Cotton Corporation to ensure MSP stability, presenting six to seven proposals for consideration by the farmers.
Mann urged for peace and called for respect toward the decision of the farmers’ union, even as some state governments restricted internet access. Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism about the talks, noting positive suggestions from farmer union representatives that could benefit Punjab, Haryana, and the nation’s economy and consumers. Goyal highlighted the fruitful exchange of ideas and emphasized carrying forward the initiatives of Prime Minister Modi over the past decade.
The demands of the protesting farmers include legal guarantees for MSPs and loan waivers, as they continue their agitation at the Punjab-Haryana border points. Despite inconclusive talks on previous occasions, discussions persist amid the ongoing protests. The farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march faced obstacles from security personnel, prompting ongoing negotiations between government officials and farmer representatives.
