RS members call for raising MSP for Paddy

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) All opposition parties in Rajya Sabha today raised the issue of a marginal increase in minimum support price (MSP) for procurement of paddy to farmers.

Independent member Tarlochan Singh said during the Zero Hour that the raise of Rs 10 was inadequate and the government must revisit its decision.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had on July 27 approved an increase of Rs 10 each in the MSP for two varieties of paddy. For paddy (common), the MSP was raised to Rs 580 from Rs 570 per quintal while for paddy (grade A), it was increased to Rs 610 from Rs 600 per quintal.

Yesterday, the Lok Sabha was adjourned over the same matter.

Mr Singh said the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh contributed maximum for paddy yields. But there has been 25 per cent less rainfall so far.

At the same time, he said, electricity was not available in many areas and diesel prices had shot up. Agricultural lands were being converted into special economic zones (SEZs), he added.

''The MSP should cover all input costs of farmers, or else they will migrate to other crops,'' said Mr Singh. If the production of wheat and rice fell, the national economy could become over-dependent on imports, he said.

The RS member was also supported by those from Left parties.

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