Govt hikes wheat MSP by Rs 110 to Rs 2,125/quintal; 2-9 % rise in MSP of six rabi crops
New Delhi(PTI): The government on Tuesday hiked the minimum support price (MSP) of six rabi crops by up to 9 per cent, with Rs 110 per quintal increase for wheat crop to boost domestic production and farmers' income.
Wheat MSP has been raised by 5.45 per cent to Rs 2,125 per quintal from Rs 2,015 per quintal to encourage more area under the crop amid tight government stock position owing to low procurement, fall in production and higher exports.
The decision to increase the MSP of rabi crops for 2023-24 marketing year was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said in a media briefing.
The cost of production of wheat is estimated at Rs 1,065 per quintal. The government has ensured a 100 per cent return over the cost of production in the case of wheat and mustard, he said.
Whereas in the other four rabi crops, it is between 50 to 85 per cent return over the cost of production, he added.
Asked if the hike in MSP of rabi crops would lead to food inflation, the minister said price rise in India is under control in comparison to other countries.
According to an official release, the support price of barley was hiked by Rs 100 to Rs 1,735 per quintal for the 2022-23 crop year from Rs 1,635 per quintal in the previous year.
Among pulses, the MSP for gram has been increased by Rs 105 to Rs 5,335 per quintal from Rs 5,230, while for lentil (Masur), it was hiked by Rs 500 to Rs 6,000 from Rs 5,500 per quintal.
In the case of oilseeds, the government has increased the MSP for mustard seed by Rs 400 to Rs 5,450 per quintal for the 2022-23 crop year from Rs 5,050 in the previous year. The MSP for safflower has been raised by Rs 209 to Rs 5,650 per quintal from Rs 5,441.
The absolute highest increase in MSP has been approved for lentil (Masur) by Rs 500 per quintal, followed by rapeseed and mustard at Rs 400. In percentage terms, MSP of masur has been enhanced the maximum at 9.09 per cent.
The MSP is the rate at which the government buys grain from farmers. Currently, the government fixes MSP for 23 crops grown in both kharif and rabi seasons.
Sowing of rabi (winter) crops begins in October, immediately after the harvest of kharif (summer) crops. Wheat and mustard are major rabi crops.
In case of wheat, the government decided to hike the MSP by Rs 110 per quintal as against Rs 40-50 per quintal in the last two years, keeping in mind the need to raise the domestic production amid falling government stocks.
With prices coming under strain owing to fall in domestic wheat output and over 50 per cent fall in government procurement at 19 million tonnes in 2022-23 marketing year, the government had to ban overseas sale of the grain in May.
While wheat prices have risen in comparison to the last two years, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey on Monday said the increase in both wholesale and retail wheat prices is not "abnormal" and the government would intervene when required.
In the statement, the government said the increase in MSP for rabi crops for the 2022-23 crop year is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production, aimed at reasonably fair remuneration for the farmers.
Since 2014-15, there has been a renewed focus on increasing the production of oilseeds and pulses. The efforts have yielded good results. The productivity of pulses and oilseeds has increased substantially.
As a result, oilseeds production has increased from 27.51 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 37.70 million tonnes in 2021-22, as per the fourth advance estimates of the agriculture ministry.
Pulses production has shown a similar increasing trend. The seed minikits programme is a major tool for introducing new varieties of seeds in the farmers' fields and is instrumental in increasing the seed replacement rate, it added.
The government's priority is on increasing the production of oilseeds and pulses to make the country self-reliant and reduce import dependency.
The formulated strategies are to increase production through area expansion, productivity through high-yielding varieties, MSP support and procurement. The government is also promoting the adoption of smart farming methods through the use of technology and innovation in the agriculture sector in the country.
Besides, the government is implementing a Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM), which includes India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA), Farmers Database, Unified Farmers Service Interface (UFSI), Funding to the States on the new Technology (NeGPA), Revamping Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), soil health, fertility and profile mapping.
Under the National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA), funding is given to state governments for digital agriculture projects using emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain.
The adoption of drone technologies is being done. To promote smart farming, the government is also promoting startups in the agriculture sector and nurturing agri-entrepreneurs.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
