By IANS,
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Thursday slammed the central government for the meagre hike of Rs.50 in the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy.
The MSPs of paddy (common) and (grade ‘A’) varieties were Thursday fixed at Rs.1,000 and Rs.1,030 respectively per quintal.
“This is only an increase of Rs.50 per quintal over the last year’s MSPs,” he said.
“It highlights the central government’s deliberate attempt to rob the farmers of genuine margins,” said Badal, in a statement issued here Thursday evening.
“We had suggested a MSP of Rs.1,350 and Rs.1,400 per quintal respectively for these varieties to the central government,” he said, alleging that the United Progressive Alliance government was insensitive to the plight of farmers.