More hike in MSP of paddy

Kaithal, Jul 30: All India Congress Committee Kisan and Khet Mazdoor cell president Shamsher Singh Surjewala today termed the increase of Rs 10 per quintal in minimum support price (MSP) of paddy as insufficient.

Mr Surjewala demanded that the MSP of paddy should be enhanced by at least Rs 75 per quintal, keeping in view the increase in the cost of inputs.

He said the farmers all over the country were reeling under heavy debts and thousands have been committing suicides every year, as the carrying on the business of agriculture has become uneconomical for them. The natural calamities like droughts and floods in different parts of the country have broken them and most of the farmers find it difficult to repay their loans.

Mr Surjewala also demanded the announcement of MSP of wheat and other crops well before the sowing of these crops start.

Referring to announcement of Rs 50 per quintal bonus for wheat during the last season Mr Surjewala said that delay in announcement of this bonus created confusion among the farmers and it failed to achieve the desired results and the procurements targets could not be achieved.

UNI