“If govt doesn’t agree by Feb 21, Haryana too will join the agitation…”: Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni
Amidst ongoing discussions between the Centre and farmer leaders regarding agricultural reforms, Gurnam Singh Charuni, a prominent farmer leader, issued a stark warning. In a recent statement made in Kurukshetra, Haryana, Charuni emphasized the need for the government to expand its recent proposal concerning Minimum Support Prices (MSP). The Centre’s offer guaranteed MSP on pulses, maize, and cotton, but according to Charuni, it falls short by not including oil seeds and Bajra.
Charuni highlighted the pressing timeline, stating, “There is time until 21st February. The government should think and understand that these two things (Oilseeds and Bajra) are very important (for procurement).” He pointed out the significant price discrepancy in the current market, where mustard, an oil seed, is sold at Rs 4200, significantly less than the MSP, showcasing the dire need for these crops to be included in the MSP scheme.
“Yesterday, we decided that if the government doesn’t agree by 21st February, Haryana too will join the agitation,” Charuni assertively declared, indicating a potential escalation in the ongoing farmers’ protests if their demands are not met within the specified timeframe.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal referenced a recent meeting with farmer representatives as positive and fruitful, highlighting the discussions around furthering the initiatives taken by PM Modi over the past decade for the agricultural sector. “With new ideas and thoughts, we had a positive discussion with the Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union and other farmer leaders,” Goyal remarked.
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, another key figure among the agitating farmers, brought attention to a proposal from the government that involves two specific agencies overseeing the MSP on pulses, maize, and cotton. “We will discuss the proposal by the government (on MSP) with our forums and experts and then, we will conclude…Our march (Delhi Chalo) will continue till the demands are met…Talks on several other demands need to be done,” Dallewal elaborated on the ongoing discussions and the broader scope of their demands.
The farmer protests, primarily led by those from Punjab, have brought forth a series of demands. These include an ordinance on ensuring legal guarantees for MSPs and loan waivers, reflecting the critical concerns of the agricultural community.
Despite multiple rounds of talks held on February 8, 12, and 15, the discussions between the ministers and farmer leaders have yet to reach a conclusive agreement. The farmers, who initiated their march on February 13, have been camping at the Shambhu border near Ambala, demonstrating their determination and solidarity in the face of inconclusive dialogue.
The farmer leaders and Union Ministers are scheduled for another round of discussions today, with the farming community and the nation closely watching, hopeful for a resolution that acknowledges and addresses the concerns of the agricultural sector.
