Minister Somireddy asks Centre to discuss MSP with CMs of all states

Amaravati: Agriculture minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy demanded that the Centre discuss with Chief Ministers of all states before announcing minimum support price (MSP) to agriculture crops.

The minister said the MSP announced by the Centre would not give relief to farmers and it was unfortunate that the Centre did not follow the Swaminathan Commission recommendations.

Speaking to reporters at Secretariat on Friday, Somireddy said the Centre did not implement its promise that the farmers would be paid MSP one-and-half time more than the productive cost. He wanted the Centre to arrange a meeting with Chief Ministers of all states and take their suggestions before deciding the MSP for various crops.

He said the state government spent Rs 500 crore as market intervention fund to ensure remunerative price for various crops. “Our government has spent Rs 2,376 crore so far under market intervention fund to provide remunerative price to crops. But the Centre gave Rs 1,180 crore,” the minister said. Somireddy said the state government issued 16 lakh loan eligibility cards to tenant farmers in the state.