Bathinda: The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of various farm outfits, has strongly criticized the minimum support price (MSP) hike announced by the Centre for kharif crops. The farmer forum has called for protests by burning copies of the MSP order across villages from May 27 to 31.
SKM’s Grievances
The SKM stated that instead of implementing the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan commission, which suggests fixing MSP at least 50% above the comprehensive cost of cultivation (C2), the Union cabinet announced MSP based on A2+FL costs. According to the SKM, this is around 30% lower in general. For paddy, the most important kharif crop, the MSP has been fixed at Rs 2,441 per quintal, whereas the C2+50% price should be Rs 3,243 per quintal. This translates to a loss of Rs 802 per quintal for farmers, the SKM claimed.
Allegations of Surrender to Imperialism
The SKM further alleged that the central government's surrender to US imperialism and the World Trade Organization (WTO), by accepting the argument that subsidies cause market distortion, has intensified agrarian distress across the country. The farmer body emphasized that the promised MSP hike based on the Swaminathan commission was part of the BJP’s 2014 election manifesto, which has not been fulfilled.
The protests are scheduled to take place from May 27 to 31, with farmers burning copies of the MSP order in villages to express their discontent. The SKM has urged all farmer organizations and supporters to join the agitation to demand fair MSP as per the Swaminathan formula.
