NDTV Explains: Centre's New 5-Year MSP Proposal For Farmers. What It Means

The two sides met in Chandigarh, with the government represented by three union ministers, including junior Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

The deadlock between the government and protesting farmers rolled into a second week Monday, with no definite breakthrough after four rounds of talks but signs of an accord on the horizon.

At a meeting late Sunday the government - facing a second round of farmers' protests, this time just weeks before a general election - relented on the subject of MSP, or minimum support price, proposing a five-year contract to buy pulses, maize, and cotton. The farmers - for whom MSP is a red-flag issue - asked, and were given, 48 hours to confer, and have placed the 'Delhi Chalo 2.0' march on hold.

A legal assurance for MSP is seen as No.1 on the farmers' wish list.