Ludhiana February 15 (Sandeep Dhand): The third round of talks between farmers and Kedri Ministers regarding resolving the ongoing impasse over the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops and the Swaminathan Report ended today without success. Despite the efforts of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda and Minister of State for Home Nityananda Roy, no resolution could be passed. The ongoing protests along the Shambhu and Khanuri borders highlight the tension, with farmers expressing displeasure over the use of tear gas and the blocking of social media accounts.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann tried to mediate but could not bridge the gap. During the meeting, the farmers presented evidence of the alleged oppression, focusing the discussion on getting a legal guarantee of minimum price for the crops. Union ministers proposed to consult states, consumer forums and stakeholders before deciding on effective action. The central government’s apparent strategy of prolonging negotiations until the release of the poll code clashes with farmers’ insistence on concessions before that milestone. The impasse continues, raising concerns about potential impacts on agricultural policies and farmers’ welfare.