On Monday, the Chief of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) sought the Centre to bring forward the proposed sit-down meeting with the farmers for February 14, stating that an early settlement is necessary. The group also appealed to the farmer-leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death, to discontinue his fast for his health’s sake.
The Kisan Mata Mazdoor Sangh, or KMM, and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, or SKM, supporting the farmers, have been protesting at Khanauri and Shambhu border points for more than 11 months. In this regard, the KMM stated that the organized farmer’s march scheduled for January 21, with 101 farmers to Delhi, has been postponed to January 26.
On Saturday, a central delegation headed by Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, had a meeting with Dallewal and leaders of the farmers’ unions of the SKM and the KMM at the border near Khanauri. The delegation invited the farmers for discussions, and the farmers agreed on February 14 in Chandigarh for further negotiation.
Answering media questions at the Shambhu protest site, KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the delay, saying the other day, February 14, is ‘too far.’ He wanted to fix a meeting sooner, which should be at least before the deliberation in Delhi, as a reflection of the government’s bona fide to redress the issues being faced by farmers. Responding to the government’s argument that the model code of conduct for the Delhi Assembly poll does not allow an earlier meeting, Pandher cited huge events such as the constitution of the 8th Pay Commission made during such period.
M.S. Rai, a farmer’s leader, also expressed similar views, saying that February 14 is an unreasonably late date. He asked why the government cannot find time to talk to farmers when it makes other big decisions.
The appeal made to the KMM reiterated that there is a need for early negotiations to address the farmers’ problems that have brought the KMM into existence.
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