Samyukta Kisan Morcha rejects Centre’s MSP proposal for 5 crops, calls it Punjab-oriented

“The SKM feels that MSP should be determined by following the C2+ 50 per cent formula of Dr MS Swaminathan and be applicable for all the crops… At least they should provide it for all the 23 crops for which they have declared MSP. Apart from this, dairy and other agriculture industries should also be brought under the MSP regime. Himachal Pradesh declared an MSP on milk a few days ago.”

“This proposal, in the view of the SKM, is meant to divert and dilute the demand for MSP @ C2+50 per cent for all crops with guaranteed procurement, which was promised in the BJP’s 2014 general election manifesto and originally recommended by the MS Swaminathan commission,” Pal added.

“If the Modi government is unable to implement the promise made by BJP, the prime minister should be be honest to tell that to the people,” said Prem Singh Bhangu, president of the All India Kisan Federation.

“It clearly indicates that government has virtually denied the demand for a legal guarantee for MSP for all agricultural produce along with an assured market based on Dr Swaminathan’s formula. The proposed agreement amounts to contract farming, which the farmers had rejected when the agitation against three farm laws (since repealed) was suspended. The proposal seems to have been made in connivance with the Punjab government to diversify agriculture in order to save underground water in the state. The proposal is silent on whether it will be a pan-India scheme,” he added.

Bhangu said that if farmers accepted the proposal, it would give an excuse to the central government to not procure paddy and wheat in Punjab.

Jagmohan Singh Patiala, another member of the SKM’s top committee, said, “There is no transparency in the discussions that have taken place for four times. This is against the democratic culture established by the SKM during the 2020-21 historic farmers’ struggle at Delhi borders. During those negotiations, every point of discussions and the stand of farmers was placed in the public domain by the SKM.”

Representatives of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM (non-political) are yet to respond to the proposal. “We will discuss it in our joint forum’s meeting and revert later,” Jagjit Singh Dallewal, coordinator of the SKM (non-political), said when The Indian Express contacted him.

On Sunday evening, 14 farmer union leaders and Union ministers met a meeting coordinated by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM (non-political) are the two forums that gave the call of Dilli Chalo on January 2. The SKM had stated that it was not part of the agitation.

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the SKM (non-political) are expected get back to the government by Tuesday.