By IANS,
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Thursday sought personal intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to enhance the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat.
Badal said that the existing MSP of Rs.1,120 per quintal was inadequate for farmers and it should be enhanced to at least Rs.1,480.
In a communication to the prime minister Thursday, Badal said the cost input for farming has gone up by many times in recent years while the farmers were getting a meagre hike in the MSP.
He said a hike in the MSP was essential to improve the lot of farming community.
The procurement of wheat in Punjab and Haryana, which together contribute the maximum quantity, to the national kitty every year, started April 1.
However, the procurement will pick up only after the harvesting festival of Baisakhi April 13-14.