MSP On The Agenda: Farmer Leaders, Modi Government Set For Key Talks Tomorrow

Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, on Wednesday said that farmers seek to avoid conflict. He informed that a meeting with the Centre is scheduled for 5 PM on February 15 in Chandigarh, involving Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai.

Earlier in the day, Dallewal stated that farmers are ready to discuss their key demands with the Centre, particularly a legal assurance for the minimum support price (MSP). Dallewal's statement comes after recent media reports suggested that Union Minister Anurag Thakur acknowledged the Centre's willingness to engage in talks to address the farmers' concerns.

Speaking at the Shambhu border, Dallewal told news agency PTI, "We want to ensure that the Centre cannot claim we were invited but refused. We acknowledge this and are prepared to engage in dialogue." He emphasized that farmer leaders had obtained consent from fellow farmers for discussions, stating, "We will only proceed with talks once we have their approval," emphasizing the importance of holding discussions in Chandigarh.

Responding to queries about an official invitation, Dallewal clarified that they had not received any invitation for dialogue yet. Nonetheless, he urged a receptive approach, saying, "If the Centre has extended an invitation after considering our position and expressed readiness to address our concerns, we should consider it."

Dallewal criticized the Centre for alleged police actions against protesting farmers at the Punjab and Haryana borders but denied Haryana Police's claims that protesters had thrown stones at security personnel.

It's worth noting that farmer leaders have already conducted two rounds of talks with the government. The first involved Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai, while the second included Goyal and Munda in Chandigarh. However, both discussions were inconclusive.