No question of withdrawing MSP, it is all rumour mongering, assures FM

Sitharaman says the recent agricultural reforms were designed for the welfare of farmers

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said that the minimum support price (MSP) will continue. It will not be withdrawn under any circumstances. People are spreading unnecessary rumours.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai today, she said MSP had been introduced only for rice and wheat initially, despite the fact that about 20-22 commodities had been notified. The mechanism was later extended to other agricultural produce after the BJP Government took over in 2014. These included coarse grains, oil seeds and spices, as the intention was also to reduce dependence on imports.

It has brought a distortion in the agriculture