Farmers' Protest Day 5: Demand For MSP Guarantee Ordinance, Internet Ban Extension, Tractor March — Top Points

Expressing optimism about the outcome of Sunday's meeting between farm leaders and Union ministers, farmer leader Pandher said that the onus is now on the government to address the farmers' demands.

Security personnel guard at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border during farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' protest.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Ahead of the fourth round of talks with Union Ministers on Sunday, farmer leaders urged the Centre to enact an ordinance providing a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and stated that the entire nation was looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the grievances of the farmers.

Expressing optimism about the outcome of Sunday's meeting between farm leaders and Union ministers, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher asserted that the onus is now on the government to address the farmers' demands.

VIDEO | Here’s what Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarvan Singh Pandher said on farmer leaders meeting with representatives of central government.

“Entire country is looking towards PM Modi to gather up courage and take firm decision on MSP and loan interest… pic.twitter.com/AXkMjFFleJ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 17, 2024

Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) took out a tractor march in Haryana and BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) held dharnas outside the houses of three senior BJP leaders in solidarity with the protest at the Punjab borders.

Here Are The Key Developments:

• Stating that the “ball was in the government’s court, Pandher said if the Centre wants, it can bring an ordinance overnight. He further stressed that the government has to bring the ordinance with immediate effect amid the stalemate.
• “If it (Centre) brings an ordinance and it can bring it overnight, if it wants so. If the government wants resolution of farmers' protest, then it should bring out an ordinance with an immediate effect that it will enact a law on MSP, then discussion can proceed further,” news agency PTI quoted Pandher as saying.
• Addressing the media, Pandher said legal assurance of MSP for crops still remains a pivotal demand of the protesting farmers.
• Speaking from the Shambhu border in the morning and later in an evening media interaction, Pandher noted the country’s anticipation for PM Modi to exhibit decisive leadership by considering an ordinance guaranteeing MSP and debt waiver for farmers.
• “The whole country is looking to the Prime Minister to gather up courage and take a decision on ordinance on legal guarantee to MSP and debt waiver,” PTI quoted Pandher as saying.
• Asserting that the farmers' movement remains steadfast in its resolve, Pandher expressed hope for positive outcomes from the upcoming meeting while affirming their decision to continue the protest until their demands are met.
• In the wake of the protest, the Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts by two more days till February 19, PTI reported. The districts are districts are Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa.
• “There is a clear potential of disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in above-mentioned districts on account of misuse of internet services by way of spread of inflammatory material and false rumours,” additional chief secretary of Haryana T V S N Prasad said in a statement, as reported by PTI.
• As the protest entered fifth day on Saturday, the farmers remained at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of Punjab-Haryana border, PTI reported.
• The Haryana-based Gurnam Singh Charuni-led faction took out tractor marches at several places in Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar and Sirsa. Over 150 tractors took part in the march and the protesters raised slogans in solidarity with the farmers.