PM never promised 50% hike in MSP: Agriculture Minister

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi never promised 50 per cent hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of agriculture produce.

Singh said Modi, in campaign rallies before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, had spoken about 50 per cent hike in farmers' income, and not the MSP.

As per the Swaminathan Committee's recommendations, there should be increase in income of farmers by 50 per cent, Singh said.

"During campaigning, Prime Minister Modi had said that income would increase by 50 per cent if we come to power. However, some thought increase in income means increase in MSP. God bless these people who think this way," Singh said while sharing his ministry's achievements with the media here.

Two days ago, a group of farmers sat on a day's hunger strike over unfullfilment of promise of 50 per cent hike in the MSP by the Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Even the Congress has been raking up this issue.

Singh said his government increased the MSP of arhar (tur) and moong pulses.

"The Congress knew we were not self-sufficient in pulses. Were they sleeping for 10 years (when in power)? Our government has increased MSP after we came to power. Earlier, MSP of arhar (Tur) was Rs 4,350 (per quintal). We increased it to Rs 5,050. We increased MSP for moong from Rs 4,600 to Rs 5,025," he said.

--IANS

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