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Union ministers engaged in a fourth-round discussion with farmer leaders at the Punjab-Haryana border on Sunday, addressing key demands such as a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).

 

 Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai participated in the talks, joined by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. 

 

The meeting, which began at 8:15 pm on Sunday and concluded around 1 am on Monday, proposed the government purchasing pulses, maize, and cotton crops at MSP for the next five years, a suggestion that will be deliberated by farmer forums in the coming days.

 

Piyush Goyal, speaking after the meeting, revealed the proposal to involve cooperative societies like NCCF and NAFED in contracts with farmers growing specific crops, ensuring the purchase at MSP without quantity restrictions. This initiative aims to bolster Punjab's agriculture, enhance groundwater levels, and prevent land degradation.

 

 The farmers' response to the government's proposal will be discussed in their forums on February 19-20.

 

Despite a pending discussion on loan waivers and other demands, the 'Delhi Chalo' march is currently on hold, set to resume at 11 am on February 21 if all issues remain unresolved.

 

 This latest round of talks follows previous inconclusive discussions on February 8, 12, and 15. Protesting farmers from Punjab have been stationed at the border since February 13, advocating for their demands, including a legal MSP guarantee and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations.

 

 The farmers are also seeking pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21.

 

In anticipation of the fourth-round talks, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha announced plans to gherao the residences of BJP leaders in Punjab for three days from Tuesday, simultaneously staging protests at toll barriers in the state from February 20 to 22. 

 

The farmers emphasise that they will not accept anything less than the C-2 plus 50 per cent formula for MSP, as recommended in the Swaminathan Commission report. Farmer leaders also underscored the need for a swift resolution to their demands before the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.

 

Internet services have been suspended in certain Punjab districts until February 24, and the Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until February 19.