Farmers, Centre to Hold 4th Round of Talks Today as MSP Remains Stumbling Block

New Delhi: The ongoing farmers’ protests at the Punjab-Haryana border are set for a crucial fourth round of negotiations with the government on Sunday. The main point of contention remains the farmers’ demand for a law ensuring a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Scheduled for 6 pm in Chandigarh, the talks will involve farmer leaders and Union ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai. Despite progress on several issues in previous rounds, key demands are yet to be resolved.

In a recent development, farmer leaders have urged the government to enact an ordinance providing legal backing to MSP, with the possibility of subsequent conversion into law. Anticipation is high for positive outcomes following Sunday’s meeting, as farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher expressed.

Alongside MSP legislation, protestors are also advocating for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, loan waivers, pension schemes for farmers and labourers, and the withdrawal of police cases.

Meanwhile, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has announced protests across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttarakhand to reinforce these demands. Notably, the BKU, a prominent participant in the 2020-21 farmers’ protest, is not engaged in the current Delhi Chalo march.

Following a peaceful agreement in the previous meeting to continue dialogue, both sides have maintained calm, with no reported confrontations between farmers and security personnel.

Since commencing their march to Delhi last Tuesday, farmers have arrived with provisions intended to sustain their protest until their grievances are addressed. They are currently stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, where barricades have been erected to impede their progress.

Delhi’s borders, including Ghazipur and Singhu, have been fortified, with measures such as concrete blocks and nails deployed to prevent the entry of tractors and trollies.