Opposition Left Front today demanded that the West Bengal government take up with the Centre increase in Minimum Support Price of jute from Rs 2,200 to Rs 3,500 to protect farmers from distress sale.
An LF legislature party delegation led by Anisur Rahaman in a memorandum to Agriculture minister Malay Ghatak said the cost price of a quintal of jute in the state was Rs 2,500 but farmers were forced to sell it at Rs 2,000 per quintal.
Rahaman said the MSP of jute at present was Rs 2,200 a quintal, which was less than the cost price and demanded a hike to Rs 3,500 per quintal to protect farmers and save the jute industry.
Rahaman urged the minister to take up the matter with the Centre to speed up procurement of jute by the Jute Corporation of India to protect farmers from distress sale.
"If required an all-party delegation can also be sent to Delhi to discuss the matter with the concerned ministry or with the Prime Minister," he said.
Rahaman also asked the minister to consider if the state government could set up a mechanism to procure jute and help campaign for its use.
The minister assured the delegation that he will look into the matter.
