People's Democracy

MSP FOR KHARIF CROPS

AIKS Demands Restoration Of Subsidies

IN a statement issued from New Delhi on July 30, K Varadha Rajan, general secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha, expressed his organisation’s opinion that unless the system of foodgrains procurement is strengthened all over the country with adequate fund and timely intervention by government agencies in the market, and unless the quantitative restrictions on import of agricultural produce are re-imposed, the increases in minimum support prices (MSP) alone could not stop the farmers from going in distress sale and from recourse to suicides in increasing numbers. 

The statement came a day after the central government’s announcement, made on July 29, about making slight increases in minimum support prices of agricultural produce in the kharif season.

Through the statement, the All India Kisan Sabha also expressed the opinion that the withdrawal of subsidies has already led to big increases in the cost of cultivation. Therefore, reducing this cost of cultivation by re-introducing these subsidies will certainly help the peasants, especially the poorer sections. In the present situation, the latest exercise is only a ploy to hoodwink the peasantry in the run-up to the coming assembly and parliamentary elections. (INN)