Delhi Chalo march halted as farmers consider govt's proposal on MSP

Protesting farmer groups are considering the proposals given by the Union Government after the fourth round of talks held in Chandigarh. The "Delhi Chalo" protest march has been halted for the time being. While some farmer leaders are hopeful of a resolution of their concerns in the next two days, a few others have urged the Centre to provide a designated protest site to them in Delhi to continue a peaceful demonstration if the ongoing talks fail.

In the course of the fourth round of talks held with the Centre on February 18, farmer leaders reiterated their demands for a legal guarantee on MSP (Minimum Support Price), complete debt waiver, and implementation of the C2+50 formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission. Representing the Centre, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityananda Rai had first met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian before meeting the farmers' groups. The government has proposed to provide MSP on five crops.