In a significant development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann played a pivotal role in facilitating consensus between the Union government and farmers during their first round of deliberations, as announced by the state government.
The meeting, which took place in Punjab and saw the participation of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai, alongside the Chief Minister and representatives of various farmers unions, marked a crucial step forward in addressing key issues.
According to an official statement quoting Chief Minister Mann, the discussions fostered a general consensus on the withdrawal of cases registered against farmers during the protests against the now-repealed farm laws. The atmosphere of the meeting was described as congenial, with Union Ministers expressing their willingness to consider the farmers' demands sympathetically.
Mann emphasized the importance of punishing manufacturers of spurious seeds to safeguard farmers' interests and vehemently raised concerns about paddy straw burning. He advocated for the continuation of the minimum support price (MSP) regime, underscoring its crucial role in securing farmers' interests and maintaining food security.
Additionally, the Chief Minister highlighted the necessity of crop diversification to benefit both farmers and the nation. He emphasized the potential for domestic production of pulses, which would reduce reliance on imports and conserve precious water resources.
Expressing gratitude to both the Union government and farmers for engaging in constructive dialogue, Mann stressed the importance of resolving issues through bilateral discussions rather than through agitation. He expressed optimism for further discussions in the future, emphasizing their significance for the welfare of farmers and the nation at large.
(With Agency Inputs)
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