Farm union leaders reject Rs 150 hike in wheat MSP

Rejecting the increase of Rs 150 per quintal in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat along with similar rise in five other crops, farmers of the region have accused the Union Government of adding insult to the injury of the farming community, the "backbone of the state’s economy".

They have threatened to launch a stir in case the government failed to review the decision and recommend an honourable increase in the MSP of all crops, including wheat. "Offering a meagre amount of Rs 150 per quintal is a cruel joke. The farmer are already not being able to realise the value of their paddy crop," said Baldev Singh Latala, a state leader of the All-India Kisan Sabha.

Latala alleged the Centre had declared to hike the MSP of wheat, barley, gram, lentil and mustard to gain political mileage and divert attention of the protesting farmers from other major demands.

Activists of the BKU (Kadian), led by state president Harmeet Singh Kadian and Zinnu Dhillon, alleged the increase in the MSP of wheat and other crops was disproportionate with respect of the steep hike in the cost of production. "Even if we choose to ignore all contingencies and weather adversaries, Rs 2,425 per quintal (after adding the hike in MSP) is not sufficient to meet the costs of all inputs, including rent of land,” argued Kadian, claiming that wheat was being sold in the market at Rs 3,100 per quintal.