Delhi, 19 February (H.S): The Centre on Sunday proposed a plan to buy pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices for a period of five years, after reaching an agreement with farmers at the fourth round of talks. This development led to the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march being put on hold. The talks were held by Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh.
The meeting, which lasted for approximately five hours, ended with Goyal stating that the panel has 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. Goyal also mentioned that cooperative societies like NCCF and NAFED will enter into contracts with farmers for purchasing their crops at MSP for the next five years with no limit on quantity.
This decision was welcomed by farmer leaders, who have decided to discuss the proposal in their forums over the next two days before deciding on the future course of action. This move is expected to benefit Punjab’s farming industry, improve the groundwater table, and prevent land from becoming barren.
However, discussions on other demands, including loan waivers, are still pending and are expected to be resolved in the next two days. As a result, the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march is currently on hold but may resume depending on further developments.
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