CHENNAI: Slamming the BJP-led Union Government for effecting a meagre hike in the minimum support price for paddy (MSP) over the last four years, DMK Working President MK Stalin on Friday demanded the MSP be hiked to Rs 2,310 per quintal.
In a statement, he said the Centre made an increase of only Rs 50 in the MSP during 2014-15 and 2015-16. The increase for 2016-17 and 2017-18 were Rs 60 and Rs 70 respectively.
After playing spoilsport over the years in the lives of country’s farmers, the government was now trying to divert the attention of people by trumpeting that a poll promise had been fulfilled.
Stalin felt that several farmers’ suicides could have been averted had the Centre either made a substantial hike in MSP or waived crop loans. The selfish motive behind the current hike had been made with an eye on the next general elections, he said.