Farmers' protest: During the fourth round of talks between the government and farmer representatives, a proposal for a five-year commitment to procure pulses, maize, and cotton crops at minimum support prices (MSPs) was presented.
On the fifth day of their 'Delhi Chalo' march -- called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha -- the farmers stayed put at the two border points of Punjab and Haryana as they press the Centre to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of a MSP.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also holds the portfolio of state's finance minister. He reiterated the state government's resolve to make Himachal a green state by 2026.
Farmers have once again launched a protest and are camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points seeking to march towards Delhi to press the Centre to accept their demands.
The circulation of a photo allegedly depicting modified tractors falsely linked to the 'Delhi Chalo' farmers' protest is causing misinformation on social media. The misleading narrative suggests the tractors are intended to breach police barricades for the protest's entry into Delhi.
If the I.N.D.I.A alliance comes to power, it will provide legal guarantees to MSP to farmers, said Rahul Gandhi, who is currently busy with his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. He also hinted at incorporating recommendations from the Swaminathan Committee into their election manifesto.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are enforced, restricting assemblies and rallies. The history of farmer protests, notably the 2020 sit-ins at Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders, underscores the ongoing tensions.
Farmers protest Day 2: The Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 7 districts by two days till Feb 15 in view of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation. These districts are Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa.
Amid farmers' march towards Delhi, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda said that a law guaranteeing MSP cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders.
Farmers are demanding to enact a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission report.
Farmers, who had gathered at the Shambhu border crossing between Punjab and Haryana as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' call, faced tear gas and water cannons from security forces. In response, some farmers threw stones during the confrontation.
Congress on MSP: Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said even as the BJP dispensation is patting its back for MSPs, it has in fact "duped the farmers" and claimed that their hard labour has got lost in the lights of Diwali.
Wheat MSP has been raised by 5.45 per cent to Rs 2,125 per quintal from Rs 2,015 per quintal to encourage more area under the crop amid tight government stock position owing to low procurement, fall in production and higher exports.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the increase in MSP for all mandated Kharif (summer) crops for the 2022-23 crop year.
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said the director-general of police has been asked to put up check posts at the state borders, according to an official statement.
The SKM was referencing the minimum support price (MSP), among several other assurances that were provided to the farmers by the BJP government.
The minister said the matter of forming the Committee on MSP is under consideration of the ministry and will be formed after the elections are over.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Saturday had alleged that there is no forward movement on the MSP issue.
The national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) continued his attack on the Centre as he returned home after 383 days of protest at Ghazipur on Delhi's border.
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