Siddaramaiah writes to PM Modi on MSP for toor dal
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately approve MSP procurement of toor dal through two central agencies, and ensure immediate operational deployment across the state's major procurement centers before peak arrivals begin.
He warned that any further postponement at this critical juncture will inevitably lead to farmer unrest, price collapse, and a serious breakdown of trust in Minimum Support Price (MSP) as a viable public policy instrument.
In a letter to Prime Minister Modi dated December 8 and shared with the media on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah recalled that the Government of Karnataka has already submitted a formal proposal seeking immediate approval for MSP-based procurement of toor dal through National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation Of India Limited (NCCF).
"However, we are still awaiting a response from the Union Government, even as market arrivals are approaching rapidly," he stated.
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In the letter, Siddaramaiah pointed out that during the current Kharif season (2025-26), toor dal has been sown across approximately 16.80 lakh hectares in Karnataka, with an expected production of over 12.60 lakh metric tonnes.
"The crop represents the backbone of income for farmers across major growing districts including Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, Raichur, Vijayapura, Koppal, Belagavi, Ballari, Vijayanagara, Bagalkote, Kolar, Chikkaballapura and Chitradurga, regions that embody both the agrarian strength and resilience of our State," he stated.
According to Siddaramaiah, at present, the modal market prices are ranging between Rs 5,830 and Rs 6,700 per quintal, while the MSP announced for toor dal for 2025-26 stands at nearly 28,000 per quintal.
Peak arrivals are expected between December 2025 and January 2026, but the Union Government will open the procurement centres only in February and March.
"It is evident that farmers are staring at a serious income shock, unless timely and decisive intervention is undertaken by the union government," the CM stated.
Siddaramaiah further noted that when the market price falls below MSP, it is not merely a question of economics; it is a question of trust between the farmer and the state.
Farmers have sown their crops trusting the MSP assurance given by the Centre, he said.
"Every day of delay is pushing Karnataka's farmers closer to distress sales, debt traps and irreversible financial damage," he added.
He stated that when farmers suffer because of delayed procurement, the damage is not confined to one season, it "erodes confidence" in public institutions themselves.
Karnataka's farmers were demanding only the rightful enforcement of a price already declared by the Government of India.
"I therefore urge you, with utmost seriousness and urgency, to, immediately approve MSP procurement of toor dal through NAFED and NCCF, and ensure immediate operational deployment across Karnataka's major procurement centers before peak arrivals begin," he stated.
Stressing that Karnataka has always stood at the forefront of national food security, Siddaramaiah said this is not merely an administrative decision.
"It is a moral test of our collective commitment to those who feed India. I expect an immediate and decisive response from the Union Government in the larger interest of farmers, federal cooperation, and national food security," he added.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
