Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau

Meeting between CM Mann, SKM leaders remain inconclusive, protest to continue -CM appeals to leaders not to blocking block roads, trains or shutting down Punjab

My doors open for you but don’t harass general public on name of agitation : CM to farmers

Harshabab Sidhu

Chandigarh, March 3, 2025: The meeting between the Punjab government and representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) remained inconclusive.

The meeting, which lasted for around two hours, was held at the Punjab Bhawan to discuss the ongoing demands of farmers and their call to stage a week-long protest in Chandigarh.

After the meeting, SKM leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan informed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann left the meeting after two hours, citing an eye infection.

Ugrahan said the CM had agreed to only one demand, while other issues remained unresolved. He reiterated that farmers would go ahead with their planned protest at Chandigarh on March 5.

"In the meeting held at Punjab Bhawan today, I appealed to all the respected leaders of the farmers' organizations that blocking the chakka, stopping the roads and trains, or shutting down Punjab is not a solution to any issue. All these cause inconveniences to the common people. It also has a huge impact on the work and businesses of other sections of the society, let us also think about this," CM Mann posted on X following meeting.

Cm Mann issued a detailed statement on the issue as under: 

My doors open for you but don’t harass general public on name of agitation : CM to farmers

Says demands if farmers concerned with center but Punjab bearing the brunt

Rail and road blockages don’t have any impact on the Union government but the life of common man is adversely affected by it

Chandigarh, March 3, 2025:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday categorically said that his doors are always open for talks with the farmers but inconvenience and harassment of the general public on name of agitation should be avoided.

Interacting with the farmers during a meeting at Punjab Bhawan today, the Chief Minister said that the government is always ready to resolve the issues pertaining to various sections of society through negotiations so the trouble to the common man through rail or road blockades must be avoided. He said that such action causes problems to the general people due to which they turn against the agitators thereby creating discord in the society.  Bhagwant Singh Mann said that unfortunately the common man has to suffer a lot due to such protests which is totally unwarranted and undesirable.

The Chief Minister said that though protest is democratic right of the farmers but they should also think that it is bringing huge loss to the state. He said that the traders and industrialists have been ruing that due to frequent road and rail blocks their businesses have been ruined. Bhagwant Singh Mann made fervent appeal to the farmers to avoid such tactics that create discord amongst the society.

The Chief Minister said that though the state government is solidly with the farmers but all the demands of the food growers are concerned with the Union government. However, he said that due to the frequent protests by the farmers unions Punjab and Punjabis have to face the heat. Citing an example, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to blockade of roads  daily thousands of people have to suffer.

The Chief Minister urged the farmers to refrain from creating inconvenience to the common man through their protests as it disrupts the daily routine of people. He said that the rail and road blockages don’t have any impact on the Union government but the life of common man is adversely affected by it. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that none of his previous predecessors had done so many meetings with the farmers to listen their problems.

However, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that farmers still want to protest in the state for no reason related with the Punjab government.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is the custodian of the rights of every strata of the state and their interests will be secured by all ways and means.

He said that the state government has already rejected the draft of National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing framed by Government of India.

The Chief Minister said that agriculture and agricultural marketing is a state subject and the union government has no role to play in it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the draft reflects the anti-Punjab and anti-farmers stance of the Union government. He said that the state government has already opposed this draft tooth and nail through a written reply which was sent to the Union government.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government has already prepared the draft agriculture policy for the state government. He said that the suggestions have been asked from all the stakeholders and it will be finalized once reply is received from all. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the policy will be formulated only after the reply is received from all the stakeholders adding that within 20 days reply from all the stakeholders will be received.

Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister said that the state government is making strenuous efforts to bail out the farmers from agrarian crisis. He said that all out efforts are being made to bring out the farmers from the vicious circle of debt so that the well being of the farmers can be ensured. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due escalating input costs and diminishing returns the farmers of state are on crossroads adding that efforts are being made to supplement the income of the farmers.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that the union government is meting out step motherly treatment to the farmers of the state adding that he had always flagged the issues of farmers before the GOI. However, he said that they have not paid heed to any of the issues being faced by the farmers of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that anti-farmers policies are being framed by the arm chair economists of the Union government who have little knowledge of the ground realities due to which farmers are being suffering.

The Chief Minister said that the centre government has adopted a hostile attitude towards the hard working and resilient farmers of the state but the state government is solidly with the food growers in this hour of crisis. He said that the state government will solidly flag the case of loan waiver of the farmers  with the union government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is imperative to safeguard the interests of the farmers, who have made the country self reliant in food production.

Balbir Singh Rajewal's statement

"CM Mann left the meeting saying problem of eye, farmers announced again to hold agitation in Chandigarh. No conclusion was reached. Mann left the meeting after the farmers announced to hold a protest."

Key points of the farmers’ meeting with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

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On March 3, 2025, a pivotal meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) concluded without resolution, intensifying the standoff over the farmers' planned protest on March 5. citeturn0search0

The meeting, held at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh, began at 4:30 PM—half an hour later than scheduled—and lasted until 6:15 PM. Chief Minister Mann appealed to the farmer union leaders to avoid road blockades and protests, highlighting the negative impact on the state's interests and the inconvenience caused to the public. citeturn0search0

In response to the inconclusive meeting, SKM leaders reaffirmed their decision to proceed with the planned protest on March 5 in Chandigarh. They criticized the Chief Minister's abrupt exit, interpreting it as a lack of willingness to address their concerns. citeturn0search0

The SKM has outlined several key demands, including:

• Rejection of the Centre's Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing: Farmers perceive this policy as an attempt to reintroduce previously repealed farm laws. citeturn0search4

• Legal Guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP): They seek assurance of MSP based on the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations.

• Implementation of Punjab's Agricultural Policy: Aimed at safeguarding farmers' interests and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

• State Procurement of Six Crops at MSP: Including basmati, maize, moong, and potato.

• Enactment of a Law for Debt Settlement: To address the issue of farmer indebtedness.

• Ensuring Canal Water Supply to All Farms: To support irrigation needs.

• Clearing of Sugarcane Arrears: Ensuring timely payments to sugarcane farmers.

• Halting "Forcible" Land Acquisition for Bharatmala Projects: Opposing what they term as coercive land acquisition practices.

Chief Minister Mann has previously expressed concerns over protest methods that disrupt public order. He emphasized the need for dialogue and peaceful resolutions to address the farmers' issues. 

The inconclusive nature of the meeting has intensified the standoff between the Punjab government and the SKM. With the protest date of March 5 approaching, all eyes are on the developments in the coming days, hoping for a resolution that addresses the farmers' concerns while maintaining public order.