Decision on MSP Hike Likely at Cabinet Meeting Today as Govt Tries to Placate Farmers and Allies on Farm Bills

Farmers shout anti-government slogans as they march following the passage of agriculture bills in Parliament, on the outskirts of Amritsar, on September 20, 2020. (Photo by NARINDER NANU / AFP)

Farmers shout anti-government slogans as they march following the passage of agriculture bills in Parliament, on the outskirts of Amritsar, on September 20, 2020. (Photo by NARINDER NANU / AFP)

Sources said the Cabinet is likely to approve increased Minimum Support Price for the 2020-21 Rabi season. The MSP for wheat in 2019-20 was Rs 1,840 per quintal, which is now being raised to Rs 1,925 per quintal.

Lakhsman Roy

The Union Cabinet in its meeting on Monday is likely to increase minimum support price (MSP) for crops after farmer protests across Punjab and Haryana erupted against the farm bills passed amid opposition ruckus in Parliament last week.

Sources said the Cabinet is likely to approve MSP for 2020-21 Rabi season. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices has asked for an MSP increase of Rs 85 per quintal for wheat.

The MSP for wheat in 2019-20 was Rs 1,840 per quintal, which is now being raised to Rs 1,925 per quintal. Also, MSP for barley in 2019-20 was Rs 1,440 per quintal, which is now being raised to Rs 1,525. The MSP for gram in 2019-20 was Rs 255 per quintal, which is now being raised to Rs 4875. The highest rise in MSP is expected to be in the category of lentils.

Hundreds of farmer unions across Punjab and Haryana have called for multiple protests in the coming days, including a total shutdown on September 25, against the two agriculture bills passed by Parliament.

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