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Punjab Farmers and Central Government Hold Constructive Talks on MSP Guarantee

The latest meeting in Chandigarh addresses long-standing farmer demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price and broader agricultural reforms.

Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and Piyush Goyal, addressing mediapersons in Chandigarh on Wednesday. (Keshav Singh/HT)
Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, food and public distribution minister Prahlad Joshi and industries and commerce minister Piyush Goyal with representatives of the Samyukt Kisan Union (Non-Political) in Chandigarh on Wednesday. (HT Photo)
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Overview

  • A fresh round of talks between central ministers and Punjab farmer unions began on March 19, 2025, in Chandigarh, focusing on a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
  • The government delegation includes Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other senior ministers, while farmers are represented by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee.
  • Farmers estimate that a legal MSP guarantee would require an annual outlay of ₹25,000-30,000 crore and have presented supporting data for government review.
  • Key demands also include debt waivers, pensions for farmers and laborers, no electricity tariff hikes, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
  • Farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, on an indefinite fast since November 2024, attended the meeting, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the deadlock before the next scheduled talks on May 4, 2025.