The central government is set to meet with the protesting farmers from Punjab in Chandigarh on February 14 to discuss their demands, thereby breaking the deadlock and reopening dialogue with the protesters. Among the multiple demands of the farmers is the call for a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
Following the announcement of the planned meeting, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who marked his 54th day of fasting on Saturday, agreed to receive medical assistance. Despite this, farmer leader Sukhjit Singh Hardozhande affirmed he will not conclude his indefinite fast until MSP legal assurances are given for crops.
Central Delegation Meets with Farmers
A delegation headed by Joint Secretary Priyaranjan, from the Ministry of Agriculture, previously met with Dallewal and held talks with representatives of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, who have been leading the movement for the past 11 months. Following the announcement of the February 14 meeting, farmer leaders urged Dallewal to accept medical help so he could participate in the proposed discussions.
Meeting Scheduled for February 14 at 5 PM
The central delegation recommended that Dallewal receive medical assistance to join the meeting scheduled at 5 PM on February 14 at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh. Speaking to journalists at the Khanouri protest site, Ranjan mentioned that given Dallewal's deteriorating health, the center dispatched a high-profile delegation.
'We Urged Dallewal to End His Strike'
He remarked, 'We gathered information about his health and conducted a meeting with representatives of the protesting farmer organizations.' Priyaranjan confirmed that the meeting would occur in Chandigarh on February 14. 'We urged Dallewal to end his hunger strike and accept medical help so he can attend the meeting,' he added.
