Govt will abide by apex court's direction on farmers' protest: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

New Delhi: With a section of farmers continue to protest at Haryana-Punjab border pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on crops, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said the government will abide by the Supreme Court's decision on this issue and will take steps accordingly.

“The action will be taken as per the direction of the Supreme Court," the Minister told reporters here when asked about holding a dialogue with the protesting farmers to end the logjam.

While the protesting farmers have requested the Centre to hold a dialogue with them, the minister said the apex court is currently looking into the matter.

The minister further said he otherwise has been meeting various farm bodies on every Tuesday and discussing their concerns.

The minister's remarks come a day ahead of the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea seeking contempt action against the Punjab government for not complying with directions to hospitalise farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite fast for over a month.

Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre into accepting the agitating farmers' demands.

Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces.