Punjab, 19-02-2024 : The ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation spearheaded by farmer leaders has taken a significant turn as they outrightly reject the proposal presented by the Centre. In response to the government’s offer of procuring pulses, maize, and cotton at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for a period of five years, the farmer leaders argue that this falls short of addressing their fundamental concerns. Instead, they have announced their determination to proceed with their planned march towards the national capital on Wednesday.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent figure in the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, emphasized the urgency for the government to either address their grievances or permit them to continue their peaceful protest unhindered. This rejection follows the fourth round of talks between farmer representatives and a panel of three Union ministers, where the proposal was tabled. Despite this, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, backed by the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation, firmly dismissed the government’s offer, viewing it as an attempt to divert and dilute their demand for MSP.
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a key leader of the SKM (Non-Political), reiterated the collective decision to reject the government’s proposal, affirming that it does not serve the interests of farmers. Critically, the farmer leaders contend that the proposed MSP guarantee for select crops fails to encompass their broader demand for a comprehensive MSP based on the ‘C-2 plus 50 per cent’ formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission.
The reasons for the rejection are multifaceted, with concerns raised about the financial burden on the government and the exclusionary nature of the proposed MSP scheme. While the government estimated an additional expenditure of Rs 1.50 lakh crore for guaranteeing MSP on pulses, an agricultural expert’s calculations suggest a larger sum of Rs 1.75 lakh crore would be necessary to cover all crops. Farmer leaders argue that reallocating funds from expenditures such as palm oil imports could offset this cost, thereby ensuring a fair MSP for all crops.
Moreover, farmer representatives criticize the proposed MSP scheme for its focus on incentivizing crop diversification, asserting that it overlooks the needs of farmers cultivating other essential crops. They reiterate their demand for MSP coverage across all 23 crops and advocate for the implementation of recommendations put forth by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Despite the rejection of the government’s proposal, farmer leaders remain steadfast in their commitment to peaceful protest. They extend an open invitation to others willing to join their cause and emphasize their desire for a constructive dialogue with the government to address the pressing issues faced by farmers and farm laborers. As tensions persist and the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march approaches, the farmer leaders reaffirm their commitment to non-violence while underscoring the imperative for the government to heed their demands.