Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, on Monday, said that the government could make a law on assuring the minimum support price (MSP). Due to the absence of such a law farmers are being “looted” by the traders and that law will ensure that the farmers sell their produce at a good rate. The law on MSP will benefit the farmers Tikait said.
“When did we say that MSP is ending? We said that a law should be formed on MSP. If such a law is formed, all the farmers of the country will be benefitted. Right now, there is no law on MSP and the farmers are looted by traders,” the leader of the BKU was quoted by news agency ANI.
Tikait’s comments came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi speech in the Upper House parliament assuring that the minimum support price scheme will continue in the future in India and the mandis in the country would be refurbished.
“MSP was there. MSP is there. MSP will remain in the future. Affordable ration for the poor will continue. Mandis will be modernised," PM Modi said.
Earlier today, PM Modi in Rajya Sabha had appealed to protesting farmers to end their agitation against the new farm laws and reiterated that the new laws will not do away with the mandi system and the MSP. "Give Agri reforms a chance, open to changes. MSP was there. MSP is there. MSP will remain in the future. Affordable ration for the poor will continue. Mandis will be modernised," the PM added.
The government since 2014 has initiated changes in the agriculture sector, said PM Modi and their only aim is to empower the farmer. “NDA's other schemes also help farmers. For example- the PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana). When the road connectivity improves, it enables the produce of the farmers to reach distant places. There are efforts like Kisan Rail too. The need of the hour is to improve the lives of the small farmers,” he said.
He also accused the opposition parties of taking a sudden 'U-turn' on the Agri reforms.