CHENNAI: Slamming the BJP-led Union Government for effecting meagre hike in the minimum support price for paddy 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 noted that the Centre made an increase of only Rs.50 each in the MSP during 2014-15 and 2015-16 and the figures for 2016-17 and 2017-18 were Rs. 60 and Rs. 70 respectively. After playing spoil sport over the years in the life of farmers across the nation, now the government was trying to divert the attention by trumpeting to have fulfilled its poll promise through a hike of Rs. 200 per quintal, he flayed.
Had the Centre made a hike of Rs.200 each during the last four years, the MSP could have risen to Rs.2,310 by now, he said, demanding at least now the price should be fixed at Rs.2,310. Stalin felt several farmers' suicides could have been averted had the Centre either made substantial hike in MSP or waived the crop loans.
The farming community was well aware of these facts and the selfish motive behind the current hike made with an eye on the next general elections.