In a major victory for farmers protesting at the borders of National Capital Delhi, the Central government on Tuesday provided a written assurance that their demands, which include legalguarantees for MSP, will be honoured.
Samyukt Kisan Morcha received a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday, in which the latter agreed to meet the farmers' pending demands, claimed a report by IndiaTV.
The SKM, an umbrella body of 40 farm unions, was demanding assurance on Minimum Support Price (MSP), the withdrawal of cases against farmers' families since last year and compensationto farmers' families who died in the last year during agitation.
According to sources, the government has assured farmer unions that it will set up a committee to decide on the MSP issue and that all police cases, including those related to stubble burning,will be dismissed.
The MSP committee will include officials from the centre and states, as well as experts and representatives from the SKM. Cases filed against farmers in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over violentencounters with police will also be dismissed, according to the government's letter.
Farmers are currently discussing the proposal. They could make a significant announcement regarding the agitation.
According to sources, SKM is holding a major meeting at the Singhu border, after which farmers are expected to address the media. They may proclaim the end of their protest, say sources.
Farmers have also sought the removal of Ajay Mishra, whose son, Ashish, was arrested in connection with the death of four farmers in Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh. The administration, on theother hand, has repeatedly rebuffed any possibility that Mr Mishra will resign.
Farmers, last week stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to them about lingering problems.
Farmers formed a five-member team to hold talks with the administration, including their demand that MSP be authorized and police cases against protesters be dropped. A 'deadline'was imposed on the government, which expired today.
"If a compromise is found, then there is a possibility of farmers going back from borders," Union leader Yudhvir Singh was quoted saying by NDTV.
The watershed agitation that made the BJP government bow lasted for almost a year, with farmers protesting across the country, particularly camping at the Delhi border. Over 700 protestorsdied during several incidents in the long protest against the Centre’s controversial agricultural law.
On November 29, the administration repealed the three agriculture laws.