The Discussions to held in Panchkula, with focus on MSP guarantee
CHANDIGARH: The high-powered committee of experts formed by the supreme court to began the week long discussions with the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and leaders of farmer unions.
As per the information the panel headed by Justice (Retd) Nawab Singh to seek suggestion over the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The CACP is an office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in India and the CACP is responsible for recommending Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for certain crops.
It is learnt that the panel will also seek feedback from the farmer leaders to resolve agriculture crises in the country and feasibility for a guaranteed MSP as demanded by the various farmer unions.
The sources said that the meetings will held at PWD rest house in Panchkula. Earlier, the committee has met various stakeholders, including directors of agriculture and horticulture departments of Punjab and Haryana.
The move is being considered as a breakthrough and may help to end the 11 months deadlock and ongoing agitation by the farmers at Shambhu and Khanauri border points of
Haryana and Punjab.
On Monday a delegation of the committee reached fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and urged him to hold talks with the panel so that they could help to find out a solution to the issues.
During the meeting the committee expressed concerns over Dallewal’s deteriorating health condition during their meeting and assured him of their commitment to voice the farmers’ concerns.
Justice Nawab Singh expressed his worries about Dallewal’s health and urged him to take medical assistance and prevent further impact of his fast on his health. “we are concerned about your health, we have come here to assure you that the SC panel will work to resolve these issues”, said Justice Nawab Singh.
Reacting to the proposal the Dallewal said, “Whether I remain or not, even if the MSP guarantee law is formed after me, I would be thankful to God, I have fulfilled my duty”,
Dallewal said that the agriculture expert Devinder Sharma- who is also member of the committee, has already made it clear that the government could provide the MSP without any major financial constraints on exchequer. “If the government will resolve this issue positively, his health will improve without food”, he added.
Dallewal appealed to Justice Nawab Singh to urge the Supreme Court to take decisive action. He pointed out that the Union Agriculture Minister has pledged to comply with the court’s directives. “In light of this commitment,” he said, “the Supreme Court should direct the central government to implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture and enact an MSP Guarantee Law. Such a measure is crucial to put an end to the tragic wave of farmer suicides.”
Meanwhile, the farmer leaders announced that on January 10, effigies of the Modi government would be burned at the village level across the country. On September 2, the Supreme Court had directed the formation of a five-member committee, led by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nawab Singh, to facilitate discussions aimed at clearing tractors and trolleys from the Shambhu border. The committee also includes experts from various fields, aiming to bring a comprehensive approach to the ongoing agricultural crisis.