SKM calls for burning MSP order copies from May 27-31

Bathinda: Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of various farm outfits, has slammed the minimum support (MSP) price hike announced by the Centre for kharif crops, calling for protests by burning copies of the MSP order across villages from May 27 to 31.The farmer forum said instead of implementing the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan commission about fixing MSP at least 50% above the comprehensive cost of cultivation (C2), as promised in the BJP election manifesto of 2014, the Union cabinet announced MSP based on A2+FL costs that is around 30% lower in general. For paddy, the most important kharif crop, the MSP has been fixed at Rs 2,441 per quintal, whereas the C2+50% price should be Rs 3,243 per quintal. This means a loss of Rs 802 per quintal for farmers, the SKM said The SKM said the central govt's "surrender to US imperialism and the WTO accepting the argument that subsidies cause market distortion" has intensified agrarian distress across the country. MSID:: 131117903 413 |