The Centre has proposed an 'out-of-the-box' plan wherein government agencies will buy pulses, maize, and cotton crops at minimum support prices (MSP) for five years after signing an agreement with the farmers. The proposal came after the fourth round of talks between the farmer leaders and the Union Ministers on Sunday.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters on Sunday night after a four-hour-long meeting that they had positive talks with the farmer leaders. The Centre has proposed a very innovative, out-of-the-box idea, he said.
As per the proposal, the Cotton Corporation of India will enter a 5-year legal agreement with farmers to purchase the crops at MSP. Besides, the government-promoted cooperative societies like the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) will form a contract for the next five years and buy products from the farmers on MSP.
"There will be no limit on the quantity (purchased) and a portal will be developed for this," Goyal told reporters.
The government states that the move will save Punjab's farming, improve the groundwater table, and save the land from getting barren which is already under stress. "The farmers pointed out that they want to diversify into maize crops but want to avoid suffering losses when the prices drop below the MSP," said Goyal.
#WATCH | Chandigarh: Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "The farmers' union will tell us their decision by morning. We will also have discussions with NCCF and NAFED after returning to Delhi..." pic.twitter.com/rSzqom0bMq
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
The centre will hold more talks in this regard if the farmers agree to the proposal. "Other demands of the farmers were "deep and policy-driven" and it was not possible to find a resolution without an in-depth discussion. Elections are coming and a new government will be formed discussions on such issues will continue," Goyal said.
Meanwhile, the farmers said they will discuss the proposal for the next two days. "We will continue with the 'Delhi Chalo' march on Feb 21 if there is no result," General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarvan Singh Pandher told reporters after the meeting.
#WATCH | Chandigarh: General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher says, "...We will have a discussion on the proposal by the govt and take opinions on it...The decision will be taken by today morning, evening or the day after...The ministers… pic.twitter.com/9BCm8efWln
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
"We will discuss the proposal and take opinions on it. The decision will be taken by Monday morning, evening or the day after. The ministers said they will discuss the other demands after returning to Delhi. The discussions will be held on Feb 19-20 and the 'Delhi Chalo' march scheduled for Feb 21 will be decided based on the discussions. Together (govt and the farmers' union) we will try to find a solution to the issues," he added.
