Farm bills: Govt ups rabi MSP to placate farmers, nationwide stir called

Eight Opposition MPs suspended from RS for unruly behaviour during passage of the Bills

The Central government, to calm the anger of farmers at three pieces of legislation on agriculture, on Monday increased the minimum support price (MSP) of key rabi crops for the 2021-22 marketing season by 2-6 per cent, but the hike was termed inadequate by their associations.

The MSP of wheat, which is the main foodgrain of the rabi season, was raised by 2.6 per cent (Rs 50 a quintal) over that in the 2020-21 marketing season -- from Rs 1,925 to Rs 1,975 a quintal.

Wheat is the main crop in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, the hotbed of the agitation