Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday announced February 22 as the date for the next round of meetings with the farmer leaders. He stated that the government had a productive discussion with the farm leaders, listening to their demands and informing them about the decisions taken by the Modi government in their favor.
“We had a very positive meeting with farmer leaders… Farmers put forth their demands in the meeting… We heard all the demands of the farmer leaders… We apprised them of the decisions taken by the PM Modi-led government in the interest of farmers… A meeting will be held on February 22 under the leadership of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan,” Joshi told reporters.
This follows Joshi’s meeting with farm leaders advocating for the protesting farmers stationed at the Khanauri border in the Sangrur district of Punjab. He confirmed that the next meeting would be chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Joshi also urged farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike against the government, to end his strike.
“I urged farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on behalf of the Central government to end his hunger strike… He told me that I would think about it,” Joshi said in a video.
Punjab Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian indicated that the next meeting might be held in Chandigarh. “The Union Minister has listened carefully to all the demands of the farmers. The Minister looked positive,” Khuddian said.
Punjab Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk remarked, “It is good that the talks between both sides took place in a positive manner. Since the demands are related to the Centre, we stand with the farmers. An appeal has also been made to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to end the fast. He is talking about ending the fast when the demands are met.”
The discussions continue to reflect ongoing negotiations between the government and the farmers, as both sides seek a resolution to the ongoing protests.