On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured farmers that the minimum support price (MSP) for their agricultural produce and mandis would continue and asserted that no one would be able to take away farmers’ land.
“It’s unfortunate that those who don’t even know about farming, are misleading innocent farmers. This government never intended to stop MSP, neither it will in future. Mandis will also be maintained. No ‘Mai Ka Lal’ (mother’s son) can take away land from farmers,” Singh said.
His remarks came as he addressed Himachal Pradesh individuals via video conference on the completion of the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government in the state for 3 years.
“Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has successfully run the government for 3 years. I congratulate people of Himachal,” he said.
“When UPA was in power at Centre, Himachal Pradesh received only ₹22,000 crores. When the Modi government came to power, we gave 3 times more, considering the economy of Himachal Pradesh, not its size,” he said
A host of rounds of talks with the government have been arranged by farmers’ unions and a meeting called by Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken place.
Meanwhile, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a joint front of nearly 40 farmers’ organizations, wrote a letter welcoming the Centre’s invitation for dialogue to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and suggested December 29 as the next date for the conference.
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