Hooda urges PM to hike paddy MSP to Rs 1,200 per quintal

Chandigarh, Jun 21 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make an early announcement of hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy and lift ban of export of Pusa-1121 variety of rice.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the state government recommended the MSP of Rs 1,200 per quintal for coarse variety of paddy, Rs 1,300 for fine variety and Rs 1,400 per quintal for the superfine quality to the Prime Minister.

Mr Hooda had impressed upon the Prime Minister to make an early announcement of increase in the MSP as due to early monsoons, the sowing season of Kharif had commenced much early and the announcement of remunerative prices of paddy would encourage the farmers to grow more paddy in this Kharif season.

It would not only contribute to the buffer stock of the country but would also give major impetus to the exports, the letter said.

The Chief Minister also requested the Prime Minister to direct Ministry of Commerce to lift ban on export of Pusa-1121 variety, which was similar to Basmati variety. This variety did not form part of the leviable pool nor was consumed by common man because it was as costly as Basmati rice itself.

''In view of this, export of this variety would neither affect the Public Distribution System purchases for the Central Pool nor would the price of common variety of rice increase in the Indian markets due to its export,'' Mr Hooda said.

Haryana as well as Punjab had large areas under this variety and it fetches good income to the farmers. The ban on export of this variety would adversely affect its sowing and consequently deprive the farmers of better returns, he stressed.

Congratulating the Prime Minister on record procurement of wheat, Mr Hooda said it was facilitated by timely announcement and proper fixation of MSP.

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