In the midst of the ongoing farmers protest, the Union Ministers plan to have farmers sign a five-year contract to purchase five crops—corn, cotton, arhar, tur, massur, and urad—at MSP was rejected on February 19 by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha in Chandigarh.Manifeato to reality Heres a reality check... In addition, the farmers group disapproved of the plan for crop diversification promotion made by the Union Ministers.As per the SKM, the Centers proposition aims to reroute and lessen the demand for MSP@C2+50% for all crops with guaranteed procurement. This demand was initially suggested by the National Farmers Commission, headed by M. S. Swaminathan, and submitted in 2006. It was also included in the BJP manifesto for the 2014 general election.The denyal in cards!According to SKM, Indian farmers will not accept anything less than MSP@C2+50% for any crop with assured procurement. If the Modi government is unable to implement the promise made by the BJP, then let the Prime Minister be honest and tell that to the people, said the press release.The official statementThe announcement stated that the ministers have yet to specify whether A2 + FL + 50% or C2+50% is the foundation of the MSP they have proposed. Even if there have been four conversations, there is no openness in the process. This goes against the democratic ethos that SKM built at the Delhi Borders during the historic Farmers Struggle of 2020–21. The SKM made every debate topic and farmer stance known to the public throughout those conversations.Haryana to join the protestThe leader of the farmers, Gurnam Singh Charuni, stated earlier in the day that if the government does not consent to include oilseeds and bajra in the purchase process, Haryana will join the agitation after February 21. In addition to wheat and grains, the government decided to buy cotton, maize, and pulses.There is yet until February 21st. The importance of these two factors should be considered and understood by the government (for procurement). In the same way that they included maize, cotton, and pulses, they ought to also mention these two crops. We will need to reconsider if these two are left out.We decided yesterday that Haryana will also join if the government doesnt agree by February 21.#WATCH | Kurukshetra, Haryana | Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni says, There is time until 21st February. The government should think and understand that these two things (Oilseeds and Bajra) are very important (for procurement). Just like they mentioned pulses, maize and… pic.twitter.com/0VDvTUDqZM— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024
