Farmers slam Centre for ‘meagre’ `50 increase in MSP of paddy
Saturday, 20/06/2015
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
THE HIKE IN MSP IS MINISCULE AND OF NO SIGNIFICANCE COMPARED TO THE HIKE IN PRICES OF DIESEL AND RAW MATERIAL. MODI MUST FULFIL THE PROMISES MADE BEFORE ELECTIONS : JAGMOHAN SINGH, a BKU office-bearer
PATIALA: Members of Bharat Kisan Union (Dakaunda) have slammed the centre for the minor increase of `50 per quintal in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy. Terming the hike as a mockery of the farmers’ financial condition, state general secretary of the union Jagmohan Singh said, “This hike is miniscule and of no significance compared to the hike in prices of diesel and raw material.
Modi must fulfill the promises made before elections and ensure that the MSP is based on the recommendation of MS Swaminathan report.”
The MSP hike is just an announcement and will not change anything. Now, even the hardy farmers of Punjab have started to commit suicide and there can be no greater tragedy than this for the country.
“Even basmati needs to be brought under the MSP system and it needs to be `1,800 a quintal at least. Such prices need to be fixed keeping the ground reality in mind and not some abstract calculation,” he added, claiming that if the MSP was not fixed as per the recommendation of the MS Swaminathan Commission, farmers will be left with no option but to launch an agitation for their rights.
