New Delhi:
Farmers demanding legal backing for MSP, or minimum support price, and calling for inclusion of all 23 cash crops resumed their march to Delhi today after rejecting the offer of a five-year contract to buy only pulses, maize and cotton . .
Here are the top 10 points in this big story:
On Monday evening, farmer leaders turned down the government's offer to buy maize, cotton and three types of pulses – toor, urad and masoor – at the old MSP. They said it was pointless because it only applied to a few crops, and ignored those who grew the other 18.
The farmers said the price was based on the A2+FL+50 percent formula (MSP at 1.5 times direct costs, such as seeds and fertilizers, and unpaid family labor), and not on the Swaminathan's C2+50 percent formula Commission (which includes rent for agricultural land, or the rental value of owned land) – would be “maintenance payments” and not “income”.
They were also unhappy with a clause that said MSP would only be for those who opt for crop diversification, which means they have to grow crops approved by the government to qualify for the support price. “We have therefore decided to reject the proposal…”
The offer followed four rounds of talks in Chandigarh between farmer leaders and the government, which was represented by three union ministers, including Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who said “unruly elements are trying to hijack the talks”.
The farmers – who number around one lakh – are in Shambhu on the Punjab-Haryana border and have been holding their posts there since last week as all parties try to reach an agreement to avoid a repeat of the violent protests of 2020/2021 to prevent. That now seems unlikely.
Between them and Delhi are about 200 km of fortified highways, including concrete barriers, barbed wire fences and even spike strips to prevent tractors from passing by. Drone images show a surprising image, comparable to the preparation for an 'invasion' of the city.
Security around Delhi has been heightened, with key border crossings including Ghazipur, Tikri, Noida and Singhu blocked with rows of metal and cement barriers. The Delhi Police has also imposed a month-long ban on public gatherings under Section 144.
The farmers have said their march will be peaceful. “We want to appeal to the government not to use force against us,” a farmer told NDTV. However, they are here for the long haul and have come with six months' worth of food and supplies.
Besides recalculating MSPs and ensuring legal guarantee, the farmers also want farm loan waiver, no hike in electricity rates and withdrawal of police cases for 2020/2021.
They also want crop insurance for the public sector and a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for farmers above 60 years of age. Finally, they also want junior home minister Ajay Mishra Teni to be prosecuted in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
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