UP govt lauds Centre's decision to raise MSP of kharif crops

Ahead of the BJP's kisan rally in Uttar Pradesh, state Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi today lauded the Centre's decision to increase the MSP of kharif crops, saying this would raise farmers' incomes.

"Ever since its formation, the NDA government has been working for the welfare of farmers and a number of steps have been taken to reduce the damage incurred to them," he said.

He said the latest pro-farmer step is fixing the minimum support price (MSP) of kharif crops equivalent to 1.5-times the input cost for these crops. This will increase the farmers' incomes which had stagnated in the past few years, he added.

In the last three years, the Centre has increased the MSP of rabi crops, kharif crops and pulses, he said, adding that this was a record increase since Independence.

On opposition parties terming it as "insufficient" and "cheating farmers", Shahi said, "They ruled the country for more than 50 years, but never took any step in interest of the farmers. In the 10 years of the UPA rule, they never initiated any concrete step for the farmers. Even the SP and the BSP were with them. The RJD and the RLD were also with the government then. Despite having scope, they chose not to work (for farmers)."