Farmers protest highlights: Agitation on hold till February 21, say farm leaders after round 4 talks

Here’s what Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said on ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

“The Centre says something else in the discussions and while speaking at the press conference outside, they say different things. We have not given any proposal. We will move towards Delhi on February 21 at 11 am.”

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, "Internet services have been suspended in 7 districts of Punjab. The Punjab Government should clarify whether they too gave permission, whether too want it...Is your operation going on by colluding with Haryana?...Internet should not be suspended in Punjab...I don't think the Centre has such rights to suspend the internet without asking the State Government..."

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal says, "...After the discussion of both forums, it has been decided that if you analyse, there is nothing in the government's proposal...This is not on the favour of farmers. We reject it."

Farmer union leaders reject the union government's proposal

As Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 231, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Monday revoked Stage II of GRAP in the entire Delhi NCR with immediate effect, an official statement said.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Sub-Committee for operationalisation of actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to review the current air quality scenario in the region and accordingly take an appropriate decision on the preventive/restrictive actions under Stage-II of GRAP already in place in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) since October 21, 2023.

A farmer named Narinderpal Singh who was protesting in front of the house of former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh in Patiala has died of a suspected heart attack on Monday. This is the third such death in the ongoing farmers' protests.

The ongoing agitation of farmers under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (non-political) has started gaining momentum in the state with khaps and farmer unions holding meetings to chalk out a strategy if the government does not agree to their demands. Dig Deeper

In the wake of ongoing farmers' protest, Haryana government's decision to ban mobile internet and bulk SMS services has adversely impacted education, healthcare, businesses in the state. Online education has been hampered even as students are preparing for upcoming board examination.

The central government on Sunday night held the fourth round of talks with the leaders of farmers' unions amid the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ march demanding unmet promises. During the meeting in Chandigarh, the government proposed some ideas, including a five-year plan, to the farmers's leaders. Dig Deeper

The Centre's proposal of buying pulses, maize and cotton by government agencies at MSP will be discussed by farmers, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Monday. However, he asserted that they will not back out of their demand for a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops, reported news agency PTI.

Talking to reporters at the Shambhu border point, Pandher said farmers will hold a discussion on the proposal given by the Centre.

Farmers have not backed out of their demand for a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) and never will, he said while replying to a question.

On Sunday, a meeting between farmer leaders and a panel of three Union ministers took place to resolve the farmers' grievances who have launched the 'Delhi Chalo' march.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the government had proposed five-year contracts for a minimum support price to farmers who diversify their crops to grow pigeon peas, black matpe, red lentils and corn, paid by co-operative groups it promotes.

"These organisations will buy the produce and there will be no limit on quantity," Goyal told reporters in the northern city of Chandigarh, adding that a similar price guarantee would also be offered to farmers who diversify and produce cotton.

Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “So we will review this proposal with all our colleagues, some agricultural experts and other legal experts and then we will be able to decide what to do about it. So today we will go and have a similar discussion with our colleagues. As far as our decision to go to Delhi was concerned, it is on standby right now, we have said that today it is the 19th and on the 21st at 11 am, we will move forward peacefully.”

The Centre has offered guaranteed support prices for pulses, corn and cotton in a bid to break a deadlock with protesting farmers, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said after week-long clashes with security forces keeping the farmers out of the capital. (Reuters)

Farmers attempt to march to the frontline of a protest, at a site where there are farmers who are marching towards New Delhi to press for the better crop prices promised to them in 2021, at Shambhu barrier, a border between Punjab and Haryana states, India.

Sarwan Singh Pandher said, “We will discuss the proposals offered by the government with agriculture and legal experts besides farmers, and then take a call on it, and convey our decision to the Centre. As far as our Delhi march is concerned, we have put it on standby for now. On February 21, however, we will peacefully start our march. We will try that before we put our points before the government and discuss some remaining issues.”

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha will hold protests in front of the houses of NDA MPs on February 21 demanding that the MSP legal guarantee, among other demands.

The ban on mobile internet in several areas in Haryana is set to end today, February 19, as per the official statement by the authorities.

A discussion on loan waivers and other demands is pending and we hope that these will be resolved in the next two days, but the march can resume on February 21 at 11 am if issues not resolved: Sarwan Singh Pandher

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, “Cooperative societies like the NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation) and NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) will enter into a contract with those farmers who grow 'tur dal', 'urad dal', 'masoor dal’ or maize for buying their crop at MSP for next five years.”

A panel of three Union ministers on Sunday proposed the buying of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices for five years after entering into an agreement with farmers, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said.

The farmer leaders said they will discuss the government's proposal in their forums over the next two days and thereafter, decide the future course of action. (PTI)

Farm leaders warned that the Delhi Chalo march will continue on February 21 if the Centre fails to make efforts based on the fourth round of discussions with farm leaders on Sunday.