Farmers’ “Delhi Chalo” March Deferred Till Feb 21, Says Peasants’ Leader Pandher

New Delhi: Following the fourth round of talks with the Centre, farmers’ leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Monday said that the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march has been put on hold till February 21 as they would discuss the Centre’s proposal to give guarantees on buying five crops at the minimum support price (MSP).

Till Feb 21, peaceful protests by farmers will continue at Shambhu and Khanauri borders located along the Haryana entry points of Delhi.

“We will discuss proposals given by the Centre with fellow farmers, take the opinions of experts,” said Pandher.

The crops which the Centre has proposed to buy on assured MSP include three pulses — arhar, tur and urad, besides cotton and maize. It is proposed that the central agencies such as the NCCF, NAFED and the Cotton Corporation of India will sign a contract for five years to buy the crops from the farmers.

The farmer leaders held discussions with Union ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai.

Interacting with the media after the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said if the MSP is given for this crop then Punjab can lead the country in production of pulses.

He said the country now imports pulses from other countries whereas if farmers get remunerative prices then they can produce these pulses here.