Seventh round of talks between Centre and farmers begins today

Chandigarh: The seventh round of talks between the Centre and farmer leaders is set to take place today, with discussions expected on various demands, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) on crops.

A delegation of 28 farmer leaders, led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) convener Sarwan Singh Pandher, has arrived for the talks. Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi, and Piyush Goyal are also expected to join the meeting shortly.

Ahead of the discussions, Chandigarh Police stopped farmers traveling from Mohali at the border, preventing around 35-40 vehicles from proceeding. Police officials cited a lack of clearance from authorities but allowed the farmers to pass after about half an hour.

Speaking before the meeting, Pandher said a resolution must be reached as the movement has been ongoing for a long time. “Government data shows there are 15 crore farmer families. Sixty per cent of the country is demanding. Therefore, we hope discussions on the MSP law will progress,” he said.

Meanwhile, security measures could be heightened at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, with Punjab Police possibly increasing deployment. Pandher said only the Punjab government could clarify whether this was for security reasons or based on other inputs.