Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today sought personal intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat from Rs 1120 to Rs 1480 per quintal.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Badal urged the Centre to help in improving the economic condition of the farmers, thereby recommending an icrease in the MSP of wheat. Badal reiterated that the farming population must not be allowed to feel ignored and left out of the current growth of India.
The Chief Minister said the new MSP would cover all operating costs including family labour and rent. Current MSP of wheat does not cover the above costs. The land rent prevalent in the state varies between Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre/year.
