A triad of Union ministers is scheduled to convene a meeting with protesting farmer leaders in Chandigarh on Thursday, marking another attempt to broker a resolution amidst the ongoing deadlock between demonstrators and security forces at the Punjab-Haryana border.
The meeting, slated for 5 pm, will see the presence of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. The agenda revolves around addressing the various demands put forth by the farmers, notably the enactment of legislation ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce.
This encounter marks the third round of discussions between the two parties, following inconclusive dialogues held on February 8 and 12. Farmers hailing predominantly from Punjab have entrenched themselves at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points of Punjab and Haryana, striving to advance towards Delhi to exert pressure on the government to accede to their demands.
Committing to a temporary halt in their march towards the national capital, the farmer leaders have articulated their stance, asserting that their subsequent actions will hinge upon the proposals presented by the government during the meeting.
Meanwhile, two prominent farmer unions, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner), have declared plans for a 'rail roko' protest in the state on Thursday, wherein farmers intend to obstruct railway tracks at seven locations from noon till 4 pm. This protest serves as a response to the deployment of tear gas and water cannons by Haryana security personnel at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.
Additionally, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha has announced its intentions to stage demonstrations at toll plazas from 11 am to 2 pm, amplifying the pressure on the government.
The ongoing agitation, dubbed 'Dilli Chalo,' has seen hundreds of farmers steadfastly encamped at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha spearheading the movement. Key demands include legislation on MSP, agricultural loan waivers, and the implementation of recommendations laid out by the Swaminathan Commission.
In response to the escalating tensions, the Haryana Police have fortified the border with barricades, impeding the farmers' progress towards Delhi on their tractor-trolleys. At the Shambhu border, near Ambala, sporadic instances of tear gas shelling were reported on Wednesday, particularly aimed at thwarting any attempts by groups of farmers to breach the barricades. Furthermore, security personnel found themselves targeted with stone-pelting by the protesters, reflecting the intensifying standoff witnessed at various border points, including the Data Singhwala-Khanauri border near Haryana's Jind district.
Rajnath Singh Roped In to Aid in Farmer Grievance Resolution
In a bid to address the grievances of farmers, particularly those from Punjab, who have expressed their intent to march towards the national capital, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been enlisted to aid in finding a resolution. The capital city has been fortified with concrete blocks, barbed wires, and tyre-busting spikes, as police and security personnel stand guard to deter any advancement by the protesters.
Efforts to engage in dialogue with the protesting farmers have thus far yielded no concrete results. Seeking to explore avenues for resolution, Singh, himself a former agriculture minister and a prominent farmer leader from Uttar Pradesh, was approached on Wednesday.
According to media reports, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda met with Singh at the latter’s residence, engaging in discussions regarding the ongoing farmers’ protests and potential pathways to address their concerns.
While initially scheduled for Wednesday evening, talks between Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, and the agitating farmer leaders via video conferencing have been rescheduled to Thursday. It is anticipated that both farmer groups and the ministerial delegation will convene for a face-to-face meeting in Chandigarh on Thursday evening.
The meeting between Singh and Munda in the national capital assumes significance against the backdrop of farmers from Punjab marching towards Delhi, met with resistance from Haryana Police who resorted to tear gas shelling at the Shambhu border between the two states.
Amidst this tension, thousands of farmers, advocating for a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) among other demands, initiated their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on Tuesday, with Haryana Police continuing their attempts to impede their progress.
Similar confrontations were witnessed at the Data Singhwala-Khanauri border in Haryana’s Jind district, where barricades erected by Haryana Police thwarted farmers’ attempts to travel to Delhi on their tractor-trolleys.
In an interview with PTI, Munda emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive consultation process before enacting legislation guaranteeing MSP. He urged farmer groups to engage in structured discussions with the government on this critical issue.
Meanwhile, sources within the BJP criticized the Congress party for its election promises, particularly regarding the implementation of recommendations from the Swaminathan Commission report. They highlighted the inconsistency of the Congress, pointing out its rejection of the Commission's recommendations during its tenure in power at the Centre.
Citing Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas's response to a query in Rajya Sabha in 2010, BJP sources revealed the Congress government's refusal to accept the Swaminathan Commission's proposal of setting MSP at least 50% above the weighted average cost of production. Thomas had reasoned that such a mechanical linkage between MSP and production costs could distort the market dynamics and potentially be counterproductive in certain scenarios.
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