Chandigarh: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced on Saturday that the Centre has extended an invitation for a meeting to discuss their demands on February 12. He disclosed that three Union ministers – Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai – are scheduled to arrive in Chandigarh on February 12 for discussions with a delegation representing the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
The meeting is slated to take place at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 in Chandigarh, a day before the farmers’ planned ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. Pandher also shared the invitation letter received for the talks in Chandigarh. The initial meeting with the three Union ministers occurred on February 8, during which a comprehensive dialogue was conducted with leaders of farmer organizations gearing up for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to emphasize their demands, including legislation ensuring a minimum support price for crops.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who facilitated discussions between the farmer leaders and the government, also participated in the meeting. Following the meeting, farmer leaders reported that the central ministers pledged to arrange a follow-up meeting soon. Despite this, the farmer leaders reaffirmed their intention to proceed with the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 13.
While Mann acknowledged areas of agreement between the ministers and farmer leaders, such as the withdrawal of cases filed against farmers during previous protests against the now-repealed farm laws and stricter penalties for counterfeit seeds and chemicals.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had jointly announced a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march involving over 200 farmers’ unions on February 13 to pressure the Centre into accepting various demands.
Meanwhile, Pandher, the general secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, criticized the Haryana government for suspending mobile internet services and bulk SMS in seven districts. He reiterated that farmers are prepared for the "historic" march to the national capital on February 13.
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