Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls, Farmers Gear Up For Delhi March Demanding MSP Revision And Implementation Of Pending Government Assurances

Thousands of farmers are gearing up to converge in the national capital on 13 February, intensifying their demands for a revised minimum support price (MSP) based on the C2+50 per cent formula and an increase in import duties on agricultural products, as reported by Business Standard.

The C2+50 per cent formula, endorsed by Dr. Swaminathan, seeks to establish the MSP at 50 per cent over the comprehensive cost of production.

Currently, the centre has set the MSP at 50 per cent more than the A2+FL cost of production, which includes imputed costs and family labor expenses.

The call for the Delhi march was announced following a 'mahapanchayat' organised by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and 18 farmer unions in Punjab’s Barnala district on Saturday (6 January).

Earlier, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha played a crucial role in leading the farmers' protest against the controversial three farm acts passed by the centre in September 2020, which were subsequently withdrawn by the union government.

In addition to the Delhi march, farmers have outlined a month-long agitation plan, including a meeting with intellectuals and academicians in Chandigarh on 20 January, a press meet in Delhi on 21 January, and a candlelight march on 26 January in every block and district across the country to honor farmers who lost their lives in various agitations.

The farmers' groups are also demanding that the central government fulfills pending assurances made at the time of repealing the three farm acts.