Punjab deputy CM rejects proposed MSP for wheat

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday rejected the proposed Rs 1,350 minimum support price (MSP) for wheat for 2012-13 rabi crop as suggested by the Agriculture Cost Price Commission (ACPC) and demanded minimum Rs 2,200 MSP in consonance with a steep hike in the cost of agriculture inputs.

Talking to media persons here on Friday after dedicating to the people of Amritsar seven development projects with a combined cost of Rs 138 crore, Badal said that it is a matter of great regret that on one hand the price of DAP fertilisers has risen from Rs 437 per bag during last season to Rs 1,125 per bag this season due to withdrawal of subsidy on fertiliser.

“The Congress led UPA government was trying to befool the people by announcing a meagre hike of Rs 230.” He said that Shiromanin Akali Dal had been demanding the implementation of recommendations of Swaminathan Commission, linking MSP of agriculture produce with cost of agriculture inputs but Congress, in order to protect the interests of multinational companies was scuttling its proposal.

He said that on one hand they have decontrolled the sale of fertilisers, giving freedom to the companies to fix price as per their whims, resulting in more than double price of DAP within six months but trying to befool the people by a meagre hike in MSP.

He said that Shiromani Akali Dal would not sit quiet till hike in MSP of wheat is not in consonance with hike in price of DAP.