MSP

Farmers rejected generous proposal of the centre that would have helped small and marginalised farmers diversify crops and assured transition to sustainable practices.

Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda invited the farmers for the fifth round of talks saying that govt is ready to discuss all issues including MSP demand

After the fourth round of talks, General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarvan Singh Pandher asserted that the farmers will continue to move forward with the 'Delhi Chalo' march on February 21 adding that the discussion will also be held on the proposal proposed by the government on MSP.

Fourth round of talks between centre and farmer leaders to take place on Sunday, February 18, to resolve the ongoing protests in Punjab.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher demanded that the Modi government should bring an ordinance granting a legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The Modi government has taken numerous initiatives to assist farmers over the last ten years, ranging from MSP to fertiliser subsidies. Fertiliser subsidies have nearly tripled, while the agricultural budget has increased fourfold.

While the Congress party is now promising to legalise MSP if voted to power, back in 2010 his own party’s government led by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had rejected the Swaminathan Committee’s C2+50 per cent formula recommendation citing “counter-productivity”.

Though Rahul Gandhi promised to implement Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, Congress had rejected them in 2007.

Only 25 per cent of total farming output comes under purview of MSP. If MSP law comes to power it will be an economic suicide as it will bar govt from spending money on other sectors, including defence.

Haryana Police has also taken precautionary measures with Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta stating that 40 checkposts have been set up strategically in Sirsa, especially on routes coming in from neighbouring states.