India, March 29 -- After walking out of a meeting with Samyukt Kisan Morcha leaders earlier this month when they refused to cancel their March 5 protest, chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday extended the olive branch to miffed farmers, saying they "are always welcome to hold meetings with the government at any time as their role is crucial in shaping policy".

Interacting with the media at Ghanauri Kalan in Dhuri sub division, Mann, who is also the local MLA, said that he would be attending the meeting with farmers on May 4 in Chandigarh, where their concerns would be heard "with due respect".

The chief minister was speaking on the sidelines to a visit to the School of Eminence at Dhuri. He was accompanied by newly appointed Aam Aadm...