The Congress today accused the Modi government of "betraying" the country's farmers and claimed that the promise of fixing MSP for crops at one-and-a-half times of cost turned out to be yet another 'jumla' (gimmick).
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the BJP government's claim of having given 'Cost + 50pc' to farmers is another 'jumla' and alleged that the farmers were "betrayed" in the Union Budget.
He said the Modi government "lies" to India's poor not only on health insurance but has attempted to "weave a web of deception" on granting MSP at cost + 50%.
"It is clear that Modi Government sheds crocodile tears for the farmers, but profiteers the big importers of agricultural commodities. In the election year, promise of giving 'Cost + 50%' of MSP has turned out to be another 'jumla'," he told reporters.
Singhvi said in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Narendra Modi and the BJP had made a solemn promise to India's farmers of giving 'Cost + 50 pc' as Minimum Support Price (MSP).
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"Shockingly, Modi Government filed an affidavit dated 20.02.2015 in the Supreme Court stating that, 'farmers can never be given Cost + 50% of MSP for it will lead to market distortion'," he said.
The Congress leader also accused Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of "blatantly lies" in his Budget Speech, claiming that the Modi government has already given 'Cost + 50%' as MSP to farmers and will continue to do so in future.
"If we examine the report of 'Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices' 2018-19 (Rabi Marketing Season), which forms the basis for determination of MSP of Wheat, Gram etc. in March-April, 2018; it is clear that Modi Government has not given 'Cost + 50%' as MSP in any crop," he said, citing figures.
He said what is even more painful is the fact that Modi Government permitted import of wheat and pulses by big importers and traders by reducing import duty from 25 per cent to zero per cent. "Net result was a massive drop in prices of agricultural commodities of the farmers," he said.
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