Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister today said the Centre’s decision to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy by only Rs 80 per quintal is quite ‘disappointing’. A day after the Agriculture Ministry announced its decision on the paddy MSP, the chief minister today expressed his displeasure.
The Ministry has proposed to increase the MSP for paddy from Rs 1,470 per quintal to Rs 1,550.
BJD spokesperson Samir Das said the party will stage protests over the Centre’s decision and the date will be finalised after talking to the Chief Minister and the farmer’s cell.
Food Supplies minister SN Patro stated, “The hike in paddy MSP is too little. Even if the State wants to support the farmers with bonus, the government cannot do so due to restrictions imposed by the Centre.”
Reacting to the development, Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said, “The Centre’s decision to hike Rs 80 per quintal in the MSP is disparaging towards farmers. We will launch a stir against the move.” He informed the party had demanded for a paddy MSP at Rs 2,930 per quintal in the State Assembly.
Earlier, the State Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution during last session demanding a hike in paddy MSP to Rs 2,930 per quintal. The House Committee chaired by the Speaker had also sought an appointment to meet the Prime Minister to present their demand for consideration.
Meanwhile, farmers’ associations in the State opposed the amount of hike in paddy MSP terming it as an ‘anti-farmer’ move.
As per the Agriculture Ministry website data, the paddy MSP has been hiked on basis of recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The price for A-grade paddy is fixed at Rs 1,590 per quintal.