In a major development amid ongoing farmers' protest, the Centre has proposed a meeting with the peasants on February 14 in Chandigarh to discuss their demands, a senior official of the Union government said on Saturday.
The meeting, if happens, could be crucial to breaking the ice between the farmers and the Central government. According to the information, a delegation of Central government officials led by joint secretary rank officer Priya Ranjan met Dallewal at Khanauri and held a meeting with the representatives of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
The delegation also urged Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered 54th day on Saturday, to take medical aid so that he could participate in the proposed meeting. Speaking to media at the Khanauri protest site, Ranjan said a high-level delegation was sent by the Centre as the health of Dallewal is deteriorating. "We enquired about his health and held a meeting with the representatives (of protesting farmer bodies)," said Ranjan.
"We urge him (Dallewal) to break his fast, and take medical aid so that he can participate in the meeting," he added. Notably, four rounds of meetings had taken place between the Central ministers and protesting farmers on February 8, 12, 15 and 18 last year, but talks had remained inconclusive.
Following the announcement, farmer leaders appealed to fasting farmer leader Dallewal to take medical aid so that he can participate in the proposed meeting. Earlier, farmers protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points between Punjab and Haryana on Saturday said they have received a proposal from the central government which they will discuss.
(With PTI Inputs)