Centre Invites Farmers for Talks in Chandigarh on February 12

In a significant development, the Centre has invited farmer leaders for a meeting in Chandigarh on February 12 to address their demands. Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai will engage in discussions with representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha Non-Political and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The meeting will take place at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26, a day before the farmers proposed Delhi Chalo march.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced on Saturday that the Central government has invited farmer representatives for a meeting on February 12 to discuss their demands. The meeting will take place in Chandigarh, a day before the farmers' proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march.

Meeting Details

Three Union ministers - Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai - will arrive in Chandigarh to hold talks with a delegation from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha Non-Political and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The meeting will be held at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26.

Previous Meeting and Discussions

This meeting follows an earlier meeting held on February 8 between the Union ministers and farmer organization leaders. During that meeting, detailed discussions were held on various demands, including a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who facilitated the meeting, also participated in the discussions.

Assurances and Ongoing Protest Plans

After the previous meeting, farmer leaders reported that the central ministers had assured them of a second round of talks. Despite these assurances, the farmer leaders maintained that their proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 13 would still take place.

Points of Agreement

Chief Minister Mann indicated that the ministers and farmer leaders had found common ground on several issues, including the withdrawal of cases registered against farmers during the previous agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. Strict punishment for the sale of fake seeds and chemicals was also a point of agreement.

Delhi Chalo March and Internet Suspension

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha Non-Political and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have announced a 'Delhi Chalo' march involving over 200 farmer unions on February 13 to press the Centre to accept their demands. Meanwhile, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary, Pandher, condemned the Haryana government's decision to suspend mobile internet services and bulk SMS in seven districts ahead of the march.

As the 'Delhi Chalo' march draws closer, the meeting between farmer leaders and Union ministers in Chandigarh is seen as a crucial opportunity to address the farmers' concerns and potentially avert the planned protest. The outcome of this meeting will be closely watched by farmers and stakeholders across the country.