MSP should be 50 per cent more than WAC of production: NCP

"We demand that the minimum support price should be at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production," NCP state chief Thakur Randhir Singh said at a public meeting here.

Singh hailed Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for "convincing" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in allowing the export of agriculture commodities.

NCP had staged a massive dharna in Jantar Mantar in Delhi against the banning of export of sugar, onion, cotton and food grains by the Centre, Singh said.

He also said that Commission on Agriculture Costs and Prices should be an autonomous statutory organisation and social security should be provided to all farmers.

The NCP leader condemned the state government, and particularly revenue department, for allowing sale of irrigated agriculture land for establishment of polluted industries in Kathua district, particularly in Ghati village which was opposed by the environmentalist, ex-servicemen and farmers.