Farmers demand fixing of MSP for basmati, memo submitted

The Kirti Kisan Union (KKU) held a protest near the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Fazilka today. The members submitted a memorandum to the DC, urging the government to fix the MSP of basmati and guarantee procurement.

KKU district president Sukhchain Singh said the area under basmati cultivation is continuously increasing. Basmati is exported to the Middle East and European countries. It is a crop that requires less water, and has also earned the country 5.8 billion dollars of foreign exchange last year. Despite this, the Centre and the Punjab Government are deterring its purchase. The KKU also demanded the opening of India-Pakistan border crossings at Attari and Hussainiwala for trade in basmati and other commodities.

He said that strong steps need to be taken to end the shortage of DAP and urea and curb the black market. Sugarcane should be purchased at Rs 450 per quintal by Fazilka Cooperative Sugar Mills from November 1. He urged the state government to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the agricultural sector.