Cong defends marginal hike in MSP of wheat

New Delhi, Apr 20 (UNI) The Congress today justified the hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat to Rs 850 a quintal saying whatever increase had been made in the price had been done by few Governments during the last 10 years.

"The MSP given this time is far more than in the previous years," Congress Spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons here.

Mr Singhvi said the Government was taking several steps to keep the prices under control.Its effect had to be seen over a period of time.

The Government, he said, wanted to pay a fair price to farmers for their produce and a fair distribution of the commodity among the people. He explained that it was allowing a minimum amount of import of wheat to be self reliant.

Mr Singhvi said the Government was for minimum of control of the commodity but was always prepared to act under the Essential Commodities act if the situation so demanded.

Replying to a question that private players would offer a better price to farmers for their produce and purchase it, the Congress Spokesman clarified the Government did not want to interfere too much in the sale in the open market under the new procurement policy.

UNI