Farmers and centre to meet on February 14 in Chandigarh

The government has invited the protesting farmers for a meeting on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands, said a senior official.

This comes after a delegation led by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Priya Ranjan met fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha representatives.

Centre, Punjab government, and farmer representatives will meet at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration, Sector-26, Chandigarh. The meeting will focus on the pending demands of farmers.

An official letter issued by Priya Ranjan read, "You are cordially invited to attend the meeting. Kindly ensure your presence on time."

Earlier, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Punjab government to provide complete medical reports of Jagjit Singh Dallewal who has been on fast-unto-death since November 26.

The apex court posted the matter for hearing on January 22.

It was hearing a contempt petition against the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of the Police of Punjab for not complying with the December 20 order of providing medical aid and hospitalisation to Dallewal who has been on fast unto death since November 26.

Dallewal, convener of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) is on fast-unto-death at Khanouri border to press the Centre to accept farmers’ demands including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

The court has been asking the Punjab government to ensure Dallewal gets proper medical aid during fast-unto-death.

Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha members were also invited to the meeting. The last meeting was held on February 15, 2024 in Chandigarh.