Morcha seeks more hike in MSP

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP Kisan Morcha on Saturday criticised the UPA Government at the Centre for rejecting the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy by Rs 160 a quintal. While the input cost such as prices of diesel, fertiliser, pesticide, insecticide, and labour cost have increased manifold, the unrelenting price rise of essential commodities has made the life of common man miserable. Against this background, a mere hike of ` 80 per quintal for paddy and Rs 300 per quintal for cotton is a cruel joke on farmers, remarked State unit president of the Morcha Maheswar Sahoo. More than 200 farmers committed suicide in the State due to crop loss and loan burden. The untimely rains last year caused extensive damage to kharif crops. Claiming that the production cost of paddy varies from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,450 per quintal in different states, the Morcha leader said the MSP for paddy and cotton should be increased by Rs 500 per quintal. The UPA Government has proved  that it is anti-farmer by rejecting the proposal of the Agriculture Ministry and not accepting the recommendation of the Swaminathan Commission, he said. The Swaminathan Commission recommended the Centre to ensure that the farmers get at least 50 per cent profit on the production cost. The Centre on Friday increased the support price of paddy and other agricultural products. The MSP for paddy (common variety) was ` 1,000 per quintal and paddy (A grade) Rs 1,030 per quintal last year. The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) did not approve the ` 160-per-quintal hike as suggested by the Agriculture Ministry because of food inflation which was at 9.01 per cent for the week ended May 28.  The government may announce a bonus of Rs 80 per quintal over and above MSP before harvest time to boost procurement by government agencies, sources said. The government raised paddy MSP as input costs have increased by up to 64 per cent. Besides, it is under pressure from civil societies and the Supreme Court as well to provide subsidised foodgrains to all the poor people of the country as part of its food security programme.