centre-defers-talks-with-farmers-seeks-state-participation

The Centre has deferred the scheduled May 4 meeting with farmer leaders, requesting that the Punjab government be allowed to participate in the talks. In a letter addressed to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), Union Agriculture Ministry Joint Secretary Puran Chandra Kishan urged the groups to reconsider their opposition to the presence of state officials.

 

The communication came days after farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who warned that the groups might boycott the talks if Punjab government representatives were included.

 

He said the farming community harboured deep resentment against the Punjab government over the eviction of protesting farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri border points in March.

 

In an earlier letter dated April 27, both SKM (Non-Political) and KMM had formally urged Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to exclude Punjab officials from the scheduled meeting.

 

In Thursday's letter, joint secretary Kishan said, "As you know, state governments have an important role in the federal structure. Therefore, it would be appropriate to include the state government in the meeting. You are requested to reconsider the above decision, so that we can move forward towards a solution through dialogue".

 

"Therefore, it is requested that after positive deliberation, you give your consent for the meeting with the participation of the state. The meeting of 4 May is postponed till we get your consent. The date of the next meeting will be decided after receiving information from you," stated the letter, which was released by the farmers.

 

Reacting to the Centre’s appeal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann maintained that no ministers or state officials would participate in the upcoming round of talks. "Your (farmers') demands concern the Centre. You hold talks directly with it. We do not have any problem," said Mann.

 

The rift follows a March 19 crackdown by the Punjab Police, which led to the detention of several farmer leaders in Mohali after a meeting with a central delegation in Chandigarh. Though those detained were released in the following days, tensions escalated after the Punjab Police dismantled temporary camps at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points where the sit-ins were being held for over a year.