A FIGHT FOR THE MINIMUM
India Today|March 04, 2024
Minimum support price MSP) is at the heart of the farmers’ protests. The government is caught between its viability and political compulsions
ANILESH S. MAHAJAN
A FIGHT FOR THE MINIMUM

On February 22, as the protesting farm unions from Punjab tried to breach the Haryana border again in Khanauri during their 'Dilli Chalo' march, a young farmer was killed in the clashes. The unions called off the protest for two days to mourn the death of 22-year-old Shubh Kiran Singh, but it was clear that their stand had hardened. The mood had changed dramatically from the evening of February 18 when the farm union leaders briefly seemed upbeat about the Centre's offer of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for five crops.

The proposal had come after four rounds of discussions brokered by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann-with Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai. The offer to buy masoor, urad, and arhar, along with maize and cotton at MSP, had seemed like a game-changer for the farmers and the state. The agitating farm leaders-Jagjit Singh Dallewal of the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Sidhupur (BKU Ekta Sidhupur), and Sarvan Singh Pandher of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC)-were even fielding questions about how it could lift Punjab out of the wheat-and-paddy cycle.

The elation, though, was short-lived, as the unions backed out soon after. Pandher claimed it was because the Centre had put a 'five-year, contractual basis' rider on the offer, which the unions found unacceptable.

Experts in Punjab say the deal would have anyway broken down in the future as crop diversification requires much more effort than just assured MSP for produce. "Wheat and paddy are easier crops to grow than, say, cotton. And they don't require much involvement from the farmer, except during sowing and harvesting," says a Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) professor.

Esta historia es de la edición March 04, 2024 de India Today.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 04, 2024 de India Today.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE INDIA TODAYVer todo
WEAVE A STORY
India Today

WEAVE A STORY

Saree plays muse and material in this modern iteration

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
SIMPLE LIVING
India Today

SIMPLE LIVING

Spatial planning meets spirituality, and up-cyling meets unconventional design practices, in this Gurgaon home

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
HARMONY IN DESIGN
India Today

HARMONY IN DESIGN

Using principles of vaastu coupled with a creative interplay of open and closed spaces, this home in Vadodara is a welcome sight

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 23, 2024
THE NEW ECO CHIC
India Today

THE NEW ECO CHIC

This home in Kerala is designed on the principles of climate responsive architecture

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 23, 2024
Crafting a New Look
India Today

Crafting a New Look

A look at five festive artistic finds from Jaipur to brighten your celebrations

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 23, 2024
NAMES TO KNOW
India Today

NAMES TO KNOW

From homes and offices to banquets and hotels, these architects and designers' approach to design is paving the way for some exciting spaces

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 23, 2024
CHIC AND COSY
India Today

CHIC AND COSY

Let your indoor winter wonderland revel in bold bedding, quilted beauties and charming cushions

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
STEP INTO STYLE
India Today

STEP INTO STYLE

This winter, international collaborations are lending the Indian carpet industry a unique look underfoot

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
DECK THE HALLS
India Today

DECK THE HALLS

With this festive array of accessories, cushions and X'mas-themed decoratives

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
India Today

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Looking for Christmas inspiration? Here are plenty of ideas to steal and products to make it come to life.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024