Cannot bring MSP law in a hurry, says Munda

A law guaranteeing minimum support prices (MSP) for crops cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders, Union agriculture minister Arjun Munda said on Tuesday and urged the protesting farmer groups to have a structured discussion with the government on the matter, even as the cultivators claimed they have not received any new invitation for talks from the Centre.

Munda along with Union food and consumer affairs minister Piyush Goyal and minister of state for home Nityanand Rai had held lastditch talks with farmer bodies, including Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha - the two outfits at the forefront of the "Delhi Chalo" protest march in Chandigarh on Monday night. However, the five-hour meeting remained inconclusive. "The government is getting information that many people could try to pollute the atmosphere, I urge the farmers to stay careful of such elements. The government of India is committed towards the welfare of farmers. An agreement has been reached on some matters. We are open to many issues, and we can work on ways to find solutions," he said.