In Friday’s Rajya Sabha session, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan promised that the Modi government would purchase all farm produce at the minimum support price (MSP).

When Congress MP Jairam Ramesh asked Chouhan for his answer on MSP, Singh assured the House saying, “All produce of farmers will be purchased at minimum support price. This is the Modi government and the guarantee to fulfil Modi's guarantee,” he said assuring the House.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition members, the minister said, “They (Congress) had said on record that they cannot accept the MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations, especially on giving 50% more than the cost of produce. I have the record,” he said.

Giving Chouhan a new name to Chouhan as ‘Kisan ke ladle’, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar told Ramesh, “I am sure that Shivraj Singh Chouhan will make everything possible”. 

Farmers protest

Meanwhile, the security forces used teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers from Punjab when they tried to jump the specially erected barricades on the Shambhu border to enter Haryana on their way to Delhi. 

Three to four farmers got minor injuries. Some of the farmers attempted to cross the makeshift barricade shed, heavily guarded by paramilitary and police personnel, by climbing on it. It was set up temporarily on the border to prevent the protesting farmers from moving ahead.

Just before the start of the march, mobile Internet and sending of bulk messages were suspended till December 9 in parts of Ambala district. District officials have already issued orders banning gatherings of five or more people, and government-run and private schools were shut for the day on the administration’s order.

However, the first batch of 101 farmers removed barricades and barbed wires, concrete blocks and iron nails installed just ahead of the barricade shed guarded by a heavy welded wire mesh.

The protesting farmers began the march towards Parliament at 1 pm.

The police have been advising the farmers not to move ahead and go back as they don’t have permission to go ahead.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher is at the protest site but not among the 101 farmers who marched towards the national capital.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Bhagirath Chaudhary has said the Centre is ready for talks. “Farmers should come and talk. Our doors are open for them or if they will invite us then we are also ready to go to them… PM Modi has worked for farmers from 2014 to 2024. He wants the farmers to become happy and prosperous,” the Minister said.

The farmers have been demanding legal guarantees for the MSP of crops, debt waivers, pensions for farmers and agricultural labourers, and reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)

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