Indian farmers reject support price contract offered by government

NEW DELHI: Indian farmers’ unions have rejected five-year contracts for minimum support prices (MSPs) proposed by the Indian government, one of their leaders said on Monday (February 19).

The Indian government has offered guaranteed support prices for pulses, corn and cotton in a bid to break a deadlock with protesting farmers, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday (February 18) after week-long clashes between security forces and protesters.

Indian farmers to postpone protest as talks with govt continue

Tear gas and barricades were used to deter the farmers, who form an influential voting bloc, months ahead of a general election due by May, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a record third term.

Goyal’s comments followed marathon talks with farmers’ unions after the protesters, who are demanding higher prices backed by law for nearly two dozen crops, were halted at a distance of about 200 kms (125 miles) from New Delhi.