Wheat MSP hike: Farmers block road, want revision

Farmers today blocked the Rajpura-Patiala highway, near the Dherari-Jattan toll plaza, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded. The farmers were protesting against the hike in the MSP of rabi crop by the Centre, which they rejected.

The farmers, belonging to various unions, squatted on the road and blocked traffic on both sides, demanding a revision in the MSP of wheat.

The protest left serpentine queues of vehicle on both side of the highway. As the farmer refused to vacate the road some of the passengers, travelling in public transport vehicles decided to walk.

It was at around 3 pm that the farmers ended their protest. Prem Singh Bhangu, president, All India Kisan Federation, rejected the meagre hike of Rs 150 per quintal in the MSP of wheat announced by the Central Government and termed it a ‘cruel joke’. He said it was an insult to the farmers, who were reeling under heavy debt and committing suicides. He said the government had not even noted the increase in the prices of agricultural inputs like diesel, fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides and the overall inflation, while announcing the MSP.

“It does not match the cost of production forget profit. The MSP should be fixed as per Dr Swaminathan’s formula C2 plus 50 per cent and be given legal status. The hike in the MSP of mustard and massar etc does not serve any fruitful purpose in the absence of their ensured market,” he added.