Come for talks, ready to set up panel: Arjun Munda
With farmers beginning their “Dilli Chalo” march to press for their demands including a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP), Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday proposed the formation of a committee comprising farmer representatives and state governments to look into all their issues.
Urging the farmers to come forward to find a solution, he said: “We have held two rounds of discussions. We went to Chandigarh on our own. The government is ready to hold talks with whoever is willing to discuss the problems of farmers and find a solution.”
“Samadhan ke liye toh unko bhi aage aana padhega… Humne kaha ki baatcheet jaari rahegi. (They will also have to come forward to find a solution. We said that talks will continue),” Munda said.
Munda, along with Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, is leading the talks with the farmers.
“During the discussions, there were several issues on which there was agreement. We also clarified that the Government of India’s intentions are very clear. The government has launched schemes which the farmer organisations had never expected. Due to this, farmers are very enthusiastic and inspired and are raising production,” he said.
“There were several issues on which detailed discussions are required. These are the issues on which we cannot move forward without the state government. For this, you can form a small committee that is time-bound, which can then hold discussions with the states and listen to your views. Then, the Government of India can take action which can protect the interests of farmers,” Munda said.