Write to PM for MSP hike, CM asks paddy farmers

Raipur, Oct 27 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today called upon farmers to write letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, demanding a hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to Rs 1000 per quintal.

''All the farmers and common masses will write separate letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, demanding increase in minimum support price of paddy'', he said at a public meeting at village Dhanora near Keshkal in Bastar district.

''We want support price at par with wheat. The current MSP in the range of Rs 645-675 does not cover the cultivation cost of paddy and therefore, the recent increase in wheat MSP should apply to rice too'', he said, adding the farmers of many states, including Chhattisgarh, were agitated over it.

Pointing out that input costs and other such factors were not being taken into consideration while fixing the new MSP, he wondered why the state's opposition Congress, which is in power at the centre, was silent over the plight of the farmers.

''If the Centre fails to address the issue, farmers in Chhattisgarh will also launch an agitation to press the demand'', he said and called upon all political parties to impress upon the centre to increase the MSP for paddy to Rs 1000 per quintal during the current procurement season.

The Chief Minister also announced sanction of development works costing Rs 3.5 crore.

UNI