The government continued the procurement of the Kharif crops across India. This is an attempt to calm farmers amidst widespread protests against the three new agricultural bills passed in the parliament.
Centre Gives MSP Assurance
The farmers across the country protested the newly introduced agricultural bills in the parliament. Therefore in an attempt to reassure the farmers, the government confirms that the minimum support price would not be removed. Further, they also announced that procurement of the 2020-21 Kharif crop would continue. Also, the Prime minister guaranteed the MSP continuation and crop procurement by the government.
Furthermore, Minister of State for Finance, Anurag Thakur, in an interview with Sanjeev Singh Bariana reiterated the same. He emphasized that these laws will not result in the complete privatization of agriculture. Further, it just looks to eliminate intermediaries, he says. Along with that, he calls the protests a ploy from the opposition and mentions that the actual picture is quite different and that farmers are happy with the laws introduced.
MSP Procurement Crosses 50,000 MT in 5 Days
Union Agriculture Ministry reports that the procurement of the Kharif crop has continued. Further, they estimate the procurement of 41,303 tonnes of paddy from Punjab so far. Likewise, the government procured 3,506 tonnes of paddy from Haryana for Rs. 1,888 per quintal from September 23-26 alone. Furthermore, they say that the procurement was at a total of 44,809 tonnes at Rs 84.60 crore from 2,950 farmers in the two regions. Along with this, farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu also benefitted from the government procurement of moong and copra respectively.
Andhra Government Announces MSP Procurement Under Rythu Bharosa Scheme
The Andhra Pradesh government announced the new MSP for crops on October 1. Along with that, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy says that the prices should be displayed in all Rythu Bharosa Kendras by October 5. Further, he says that care should be taken to make sure that the farmers get a remunerative price above the MSP. Additionally, the government will set up Multi-Purpose Facilities Centres at all RBKs to help farmers through the whole process, he said.
Also, CM advised the government to constitute Agricultural Advisory Committees and ensure that they meet regularly. Further, he directed the District Collectors to visit their village and ward secretariats seriously. Along with this, the Standard Operating Protocols (SPOs) for beneficiaries of various schemes must be followed. This is to make sure no beneficiary is left out, he said.
In conclusion, we can see the government is trying to reassure the protesting farmers. They addressed the farmers’ primary concern by ensuring that the minimum support price system will continue.