Farmers Announce Resumption of March to Delhi After Talks with Government Fail

Farmers Announce Resumption of March to Delhi After Talks with Government Fail

Following the breakdown of negotiations with the government, farmer protests are set to escalate as they announce their decision to resume their march towards Delhi on Wednesday, February 21st.

Stalemate in Negotiations:

The fourth round of talks between farmer leaders and a panel of three Union ministers held on Sunday yielded no concrete results. The government’s proposal to procure pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for five years failed to find acceptance with the protesting farmers.

Farmers Reject Proposal:

Expressing dissatisfaction with the offer, farmer leaders termed the government’s proposal an attempt to “divert and dilute” their core demand for MSP on all crops. They reiterated their unwavering stance, demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report recommendations, which advocate for a legal framework guaranteeing MSP for all agricultural produce.

Key Demands Remain Unmet:

Beyond MSP, the farmers have outlined several other crucial demands, including:

• Enactment of a law guaranteeing MSP for all crops: This legislation would provide a safety net for farmers by ensuring a minimum price for their produce, irrespective of market fluctuations.
• Pension scheme for farmers: This initiative would offer financial security to elderly farmers, many of whom lack adequate retirement income.
• Debt waiver: Addressing the issue of crippling agricultural debt, farmers seek complete or partial loan forgiveness to alleviate their financial burden.
• Reinstatement of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act: This act seeks to protect the rights of farmers whose land is acquired for developmental projects.

The government, however, expresses concerns regarding the financial feasibility of implementing MSP on all crops, citing the potential strain on the national exchequer.

Uncertainties Remain:

With talks reaching an impasse, the resumption of the farmers’ march towards Delhi adds a layer of uncertainty to the ongoing crisis. Whether the government will engage in further negotiations or take alternative measures to address the farmers’ concerns remains to be seen.

Keywords: Farmers’ protest, MSP, Swaminathan Commission, Minimum Support Price, Delhi march, Government negotiations, Agriculture, Land Acquisition Act, Debt waiver, Farmer pension

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