Chandigarh: The Haryana government has extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until February 19, in response to the 'Delli Chalo' call given by farmers' organizations. Initially set to end on February 15, the suspension of mobile internet services has been prolonged in districts including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa. The ban encompasses bulk SMS and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, with the exception of voice calls.

Amidst the ongoing farmers' agitation advocating for the legal recognition of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the implementation of the Swaminathan Committee report, prominent agricultural economist Dr. Sardara Singh Johl expressed skepticism about the practicality of providing MSP on all crops. Dr. Johl, a former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, emphasized the importance of negotiation and dialogue in addressing the farmers' concerns. He suggested that farmers should be allowed to proceed to Delhi and advocated for talks as a means to resolve their issues.

Regarding MSP, Dr. Johl highlighted that it is beneficial for farmers when it exceeds market rates, particularly for small-scale farmers. However, he cautioned that it may not be feasible for the government to provide MSP on all 23 crops due to budget constraints. Dr. Johl pointed out that numerous countries, including the United States, China, and Japan, provide direct subsidies to their farmers, underscoring the need for financial support to sustain agricultural livelihoods.

In terms of agricultural decentralization, Dr. Johl noted its challenges, particularly in the context of free electricity and water provisions. He suggested that true decentralization may be difficult to achieve under these circumstances.

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