The fourth round of discussions between three Central ministers and farmer leaders concluded in Chandigarh during the early hours of Monday following more than four hours of talks, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal revealing a proposal for a five-year arrangement with farmers to procure pulses and cotton at the minimum support price (MSP).
Despite this proposal, the farmers informed the ministers that they would provide their response after further deliberations at 10 a.m. on Monday.
Describing the discussions as held in a cooperative atmosphere, Goyal expressed satisfaction with the progress made, stating, "With the introduction of new perspectives and ideas, we engaged in constructive dialogue with representatives from the Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union and other farmer leaders. They have put forward some constructive suggestions that could benefit farmers in Punjab, Haryana, as well as contribute positively to the economy and consumers across the nation."
He elaborated on the innovative proposal, saying, "Together, we have proposed a novel solution. The government suggests that cooperative societies such as NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) enter into a five-year contract with farmers for purchasing produce at MSP. There will be no limit on the quantity."
Regarding cotton procurement, Goyal outlined, "We proposed that the Cotton Corporation of India enters into a five-year agreement with farmers for procuring the cotton crop at MSP."
In addition to Goyal, the other Union Ministers involved in the discussions were Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai.
Before engaging with farmer representatives, the ministers held an informal meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at a hotel in Sector 17 to discuss the ongoing protest.
Meanwhile, the Punjab chapter of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of protesting farmer organizations, has called for a mass protest against MPs, MLAs, and district presidents of the BJP from February 20 to 22.
The previous round of talks failed to reach a conclusive resolution on farmers' demands for a legal guarantee on MSP for their crops. Following the last round of talks on February 16, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda announced plans for a fourth round of discussions the following Sunday.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasized the need for the Centre to enact legislation guaranteeing MSP, a key demand of the farmers currently camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri points on the Punjab-Haryana border.
Additionally, the ban on internet services in Haryana has been extended for two more days until February 19, with the government previously extending the suspension of mobile internet services until February 15.
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