Meeting between Union Ministers and leaders of protesting farmer unions
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The farmers are in no mood to give up as they step up the agitation against the Centre.
“PM Modi is continuously working towards helping the farmers and improving their situations. Fertilizer prices have been reduced, and ‘Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)’ has been launched. Farmers are happy all over the country. They (referring to Tikait) are doing this only to show off their leadership," says BJP's Dilip Ghosh.
This will be the third round of talks between the two sides: the previous two rounds of dialogue on February 8 and 12 remained inconclusive.
"We are protesting peacefully. The Modi government had ensured a law on MSP, however, the government has betrayed us. We will definitely take MSP. We will move towards Delhi in groups and break these barricades. God willing the government will agree to make MSP law during today's meeting," says a farmer Gurjan Singh.
A file photo of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut at Parliament House in New Delhi.
Credit: PTI Photo
“It’s good that this government (BJP) has announced Bharat Ratna for MS Swaminathan, the agricultural scientist, but it was the Swaminathan commission that gave the recommendation that farmers should be given MSP. Then why it is not being done?" he said.
The Delhi Police has placed orders for more than 30,000 tear gas shells, an official said, as the force prepares to prevent Punjab farmers from entering the national capital under their 'Dilli Chalo' protest.
Hundreds of farmers marching from Punjab have been stopped at the state's border with Haryana near Ambala, about 200 kilometers away from Delhi. Haryana security forces have used tear gas on them to try and disperse them.
A Delhi Police source said they are determined to not let the protesters enter the national capital should they advance.
Two key border points between Delhi and Haryana remain closed for traffic while security personnel in anti-riot gears were deployed at strategic locations in the national capital as farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation entered the third day on Thursday.
While the two borders - Tikri and Singhu -- with Haryana remain closed, movement was allowed through the Ghazipur border with Uttar Pradesh under the watch of security personnel.
Credit: PTI Photo
Credit: PTI Photo
Credit: PTI Photo
Ahead of a meeting with a panel of the Centre, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Thursday said the prime minister should speak to the three visiting Union ministers to resolve the farmers' issues.
Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai will meet the farmer leaders at 5 pm here over their various demands, including a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
On farmers' protest, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says "...Raising demands and going to Delhi is everyone's right but the motive has to be seen. We have seen all of this last year, how a scene was created and they occupied various borders which created problems for everyone...We have an objection to the way they are protesting...Tractor is not a mode of transport, they can come on buses or trains. Discussions should be done democratically so that a solution can be reached..."
Our leader Rahul Gandhi and also the national President Mallikarjun Kharge have very clearly and categorically said that if Congress will come to power we'll give legal status to guarantee the MSP... Congress stands firm with the peaceful protest of farmers," said Rajasthan Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra.
Additional Solicitor General of India, Satya Pal Jai, representing the Centre says, "Two PILs have been filed in Punjab & Haryana High Court. We told the court that Govt of India is ready for talks with farmer representatives and there will be a meeting between farmers and 2-3 Union ministers in Chandigarh. We trust that a positive outcome will come out of the meeting. We informed the court that a petitioner has written to the UN seeking international intervention in the matter. We told the court that approaching SC, HC is the right of every person but going against the country and talking about the issue internationally is wrong. The court told the petitioner to withdraw his petition...Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh UT have filed status reports before the court. Both the states stated before court that the situation is tense but it is under control. The next hearing in the case will be on 20th February.
Binod Anand, Member, PM MSP Committee says, "If this is the (legal guarantee on MSP) the only way country's economic progress and farmers' welfare, we will leave no stone unturned in doing this. But when was the law on MSP guaranteed? The PM never said that...These are hooligan farmers and a few people politically inspired people...People of a particular state are using farmers in this manner against their political rivals...Nothing on legal guarantee for MSP was ever said...We have to make such agri policies that will be valid until 2075 so that financial inequalities go down...MSP is a complex subject, they should come and sit with us. I assure them that if I am unable to answer all their questions, I will resign from the committee...This is a drama and something to distract and break the nation.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait.
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Barricading is wrong. The barricading done on NH by the Haryana government to stop us which is wrong. Our demand is with the Government of India and we have no issues with Harayana government. We appeal to the farmers to be patient and stay with the movement. We have called for a ‘Gramin Bharat Bandh’. Farmers should not go to their farms and work tomorrow. A new line of thinking will emerge out of this. Labourers will also go on strike. This will show how many people are participating in the movement," says Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait.
Aurangabad: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks at a public meeting during the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', in Aurangabad district.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police on Thursday said restrictions under CrPC section 144, including a ban on unauthorised public assemblies, would be enforced across the district on February 16. The decision has been taken in view of proposed protest marches called by the farmers' body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other unions. The Bharatiya Kisan Union, part of SKM, had earlier called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16, citing a host of unmet demands of farmers.