Amid farmers’ protests, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday said that the law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops cannot be brought in haste without consulting all stakeholders. He has urged the protesting farmer groups to discuss this issue with the government.
Farmers’ protest is being defamed
Arjun Munda cautioned the protesting farmers to be aware and alert about certain elements who may defame their protests for political gains.
Three Union Ministers including Arjun Munda are talking to farmers
Arjun Munda is part of the ministerial delegation that held two rounds of discussions with various farmer groups, including Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), Kisan Mazdoor Morcha in Chandigarh to resolve the concerns of farmers. However, the talks remained inconclusive. Apart from Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai are involved in talks with farmers.
Government agrees to many demands of farmers
Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said, in the two rounds of discussions we agreed to many of their demands. But consensus could not be reached on some issues. Negotiations are still going on.
Violent agitation of farmers on Delhi border
During the Delhi March, thousands of farmers demonstrated fiercely at various borders of Delhi. During this time he also clashed with the police. Security personnel also had to use force to stop the demonstration. Tear gas shells were also fired. During this, angry farmers removed cement barricades in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The farmers protesting for their demands also broke the safety barrier of the flyover on the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border. Police used water cannons to disperse protesting farmers at Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border.
Security increased at PM residence, Agriculture Minister’s residence including Delhi border
Heavy security arrangements have been made in Delhi to stop thousands of protesting farmers from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Barricades and additional security personnel have been deployed at all the gates of Parliament and paramilitary forces have also been deployed. Barbed wire has been installed on the barriers installed near the Parliament. Heavy security arrangements have also been made on Lok Kalyan Marg where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence is located. Security has also been increased around the residences of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda. Barricades have also been put up on the outer ring road leading to the Red Fort as the police do not want to take any risk. During their last protest, a group of agitating farmers had entered the central part of Delhi creating ruckus on Republic Day on January 26, 2021.
What is the demand of farmers
Farmer leaders are adamant on legal guarantee of MSP for crops, which is one of their main demands. Apart from legal guarantee for MSP, farmers are also demanding implementation of Swaminathan Commission recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, farm loan waiver, withdrawal of police cases.