Modi govt will buy all farm produce at MSP, says Shivraj Chouhan in Rajya Sabha

Asked by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh what the government was doing on the MSP issue, Chouhan said: “I am giving a simple answer, honourable chairman sir, our plan is that Modi ji’s government works on a long-term vision, we will increase production, reduce the cost of production, give a fair price for the production, if there is loss in the crop, it will be compensated under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (a state-run farm insurance scheme).”

To be sure, the government fixes MSP for 23 essential crops to protect producers against any distress selling, taking into account the cost of production. But it buys only rice and wheat in sufficient quantities at that price level. Farmers have demanded enforceable MSPs for all essential crops.

Protesting farmers faced off with police near Shambhu, a border crossing between Punjab and Haryana, where entry points into the Capital have been barricaded. Authorities also suspended mobile internet services in some parts of Haryana apart from ordering a closure of schools as a precautionary measure.