All India Kisan Sabha Accuses Union Govt of ‘Betrayal', Says New MSPs Exaggerated, Fall Short of Promise
Menu
हिंदी తెలుగు اردو
Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion
Support independent journalism. Donate Now
Government
All India Kisan Sabha Accuses Union Govt of 'Betrayal', Says New MSPs Exaggerated, Fall Short of Promise
The Wire Staff
8 minutes ago
The AIKS alleged that the MSPs fall far short of the promised C2+50% (comprehensive cost plus 50% profit) formula.
Representative image of farmers. Photo: Rajarshi Mitra/Flickr (CC BY 2.0 DEED)
Real journalism holds power accountable
Since 2015, The Wire has done just that.
But we can continue only with your support.
Contribute now
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Thursday (May 29) launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union Government, accusing it of 'yet another betrayal' of farmers with the newly announced minimum support prices (MSP) for the kharif season 2025-26.
The influential farmers' body alleges the MSPs fall far short of the promised C2+50% (comprehensive cost plus 50% profit) formula and that the government has indulged in 'a jugglery of numbers and distorted data to wilfully mislead the public.'
In a detailed press release, AIKS contended that the government's claims of a major boost to farmers, with an approved MSP package reportedly worth Rs 2.07 lakh crore, are 'far removed from the truth.' The organisation reiterated the demand based on the 2006 Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Commission report, which recommended that farmers be paid a remunerative price at least 50% above the comprehensive cost of cultivation (C2). AIKS stated that 'even after 19 years, they remain hollow promises.'
The press release highlighted significant discrepancies for key crops. For paddy, the most important kharif crop, the MSP was increased by a mere Rs. 69 per quintal to Rs. 2,369. However, AIKS, citing CACP (Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices) projections, stated the C2+50% price for paddy should be Rs. 3,135 per quintal, resulting in a loss of Rs. 766 per quintal for the farmer.
The organisation also pointed out that state-level CACP cost projections for paddy in states like Punjab (Rs. 2,787), Telangana (Rs. 3,673), and Maharashtra (Rs. 4,159) are substantially higher, with these states having recommended much higher MSPs.
AIKS further claimed that even the government's exaggerated MSP increases for crops like nigerseed (Rs. 820), ragi (Rs. 596), cotton (Rs. 589), and sesamum (Rs. 579) per quintal fall significantly short.
For instance, the MSP for nigerseed is fixed at Rs. 9,537 per quintal, while the C2+50% price should be Rs. 12,037, leading to a potential loss of Rs. 2,500 per quintal. Similarly, losses per quintal were calculated for ragi (Rs. 1,078), cotton (Rs. 2,365), and sesamum (Rs. 3,102), among others detailed in a comparison table provided by AIKS.
A comparison table provided by AIKS, depicting what the organisation claims to be the government's exaggerated MSP. Photo: AIKS
The farmers' body also raised concerns about the practical benefits of MSP, stating, 'MSP announced remains mostly on paper since there is no assured procurement.' It cited 2021-22 data showing the average price received by paddy farmers was 36% lower than the MSP@A2+FL, and Tur/Arhar farmers in Telangana received 11% less than the MSP.
AIKS points to low procurement rates
Furthermore, AIKS pointed to low procurement rates, with only 17.3% of paddy farmers nationally benefiting from MSP procurement in 2023-24. Procurement was described as 'very meagre' in states like Uttar Pradesh (5.8%), Bihar (4.1%), and Assam (below 5%). For other crops, only 0.23% of Tur/Arhar, 0.72% of Groundnut, and 9.3% of Cotton production were reportedly procured.
Long-term data, according to AIKS, shows a deceleration in the growth of real MSP for almost all crops. Real MSP for paddy grew at 1.17% per annum between 2004-05 and 2013-14 but declined to 0.53% per annum between 2014-15 and 2025-26. Nine out of sixteen crops studied reportedly showed a sharp slowdown, with crops like paddy, maize, tur/arhar, urad, and groundnut seeing growth rates below 1% per annum in the last decade.
The AIKS concluded by warning the BJP-led Union government 'to desist from data manipulation and refrain from misleading the public.' The organisation called upon all its units 'to expose the farcical claims' and announced its intention to 'unite with farmers' organisations to launch a fierce movement demanding fair price for crops.'
Make a contribution to Independent Journalism
Related News
Lone NC MP in All-Party Delegations to Not Join His Group, Cites Urs at Native Village
INDIA Bloc Pushes for Special Session of Parliament on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor
Five Questions That Indian MPs May Have to Face Abroad
We Disagree With Modi Govt But Will Cooperate As Its Delegates Abroad: John Brittas, Asad Owaisi
Rijiju Jumps to Defend Tharoor as MP Faces Congress Ire Over 'LoC Never Breached' Remark
After Rijiju Dials Mamata, TMC Picks Abhishek Banerjee to Join Op Sindoor All-Party Delegations
On Operation Sindoor Delegations, TMC Cries Foul Over Govt 'Unilateral' Call on Delegates
Pak's Support to Terror, Op Sindoor, Indus Water Treaty: What the All-Party Delegations Will Address
UP Govt Denies Permission for Centuries-Old Jeth Mela in Bahraich, No Interim Relief From HC
View in Desktop Mode
About Us
Contact Us
Support Us
© Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
28 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"Rekha Gupta's willpower paves a clear path to Delhi's progress," Mohan Singh Bisht
New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): BJP leader Mohan Singh Bisht praised the transformative first hundred days of the BJP-led Delhi government, highlighting significant achievements and a proactive approach that has restored public trust after 27 years. 'The first hundred days of our government have been transformative. Significant work has been accomplished, reflecting a clear shift since the BJP assumed power in Delhi after twenty-seven years. This change has led to a proactive, working government that inspires hope and confidence among the people. We hold the key to Delhi's development, and I am confident that the city will progress under our leadership,' he said. He credited Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for demonstrating strong willpower in driving Delhi's development while criticising the AAP for continuing to suppress public voices in the Assembly. 'The achievements in these hundred days demonstrate how effectively the system has functioned and how it has won the trust of the people. Restoring faith in governance for the development of Delhi's citizens was a critical task. Our Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, has proven that with strong willpower, the path to progress becomes clear and achievable,' he said. Targeting the opposition, he added, 'The AAP's approach remains unchanged. They continue to suppress the voices of the people in the Assembly, as is evident. In contrast, our government, in just a hundred days, has set a living example of effective governance.' Following the completion of 100 days in office as the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta said that it was not just a responsibility but a 'politics centred on public service, and policies that are for public welfare.' In her 'X' post, Rekha Gupta mentioned that in 100 days, her government has worked towards fulfilling every promise, and her priority was also clear: 'development that can be seen as well as felt.' CM Gupta highlighted that her government endeavours to make Delhi a 'strong, safe, and inclusive capital ' through cleanliness, security, women's empowerment, and e-governance. She further thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'. 'When you gave me the opportunity to serve Delhi, it was not just a responsibility but a resolve to have 'politics centred on public service, and policies that are for public welfare.' In these 100 days, we have worked effectively towards realising every promise. Our priority was clear - development that can be seen as well as felt. Cleanliness, security, women empowerment and e-governance on every front, we have endeavoured to make Delhi a strong, safe and inclusive capital. This has been possible only due to the inspiration, guidance and vision of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' of the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The trust of the people of Delhi is my biggest strength. The foundation of change has been laid, and the pace of development will not stop now. Delhi will now continue to move forward with the resolve of good governance and service', the 'X' post said. (ANI)
India Gazette
28 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Telangana: BJP slams CM Revanth Reddy for prioritising 'Photo-ops' over governance
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 31 (ANI): The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday, accusing him of reducing the Chief Minister's Office to a stage for photo-ops and media spectacles, rather than addressing serious issues of governance. In a sharp statement, BJP State Chief Spokesperson and Media In-Charge N.V. Subash criticised Revanth Reddy for what he described as 'bizarre and irresponsible' behaviour unbecoming of a state leader. He accused the Chief Minister of parroting false narratives that appear more in tune with Pakistan's propaganda than with the sentiments of Indian citizens. Referring to Revanth Reddy's recent remarks questioning the Modi government's military record and alleging failure to reclaim Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Subash said, 'Is he living in a fantasy? Even a national daily that once published such claims had to retract them after the Defence Ministry clarified the facts. Yet, the CM chooses to repeat these lies, presumably to curry favour with his party high command--Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi--thanks to whom he parachuted into the CM's chair.' Subash questioned whether the Chief Minister had any respect for the Indian Armed Forces, pointing out that the Directorate General of Military Operations (DGMO) had long clarified the facts Revanth continues to distort. 'Even a staunch BJP critic like AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi has no hesitation in calling out Pakistan's duplicity. But Revanth Reddy, in a stunning display of ignorance, appears to justify the enemy nation's claims,' he said. Taking a dig at the Chief Minister's priorities, Subash added, 'It is unfortunate that Revanth Reddy seems more thrilled about appearing alongside Miss World on tomorrow's front pages than expressing solidarity with the nation at a time of heightened tensions with our rogue neighbour, Pakistan.' He further mocked the CM for predicting Rahul Gandhi as India's future Prime Minister. 'Even his party members would laugh at that suggestion,' Subash quipped. The BJP Chief Spokesperson urged the Chief Minister to 'exercise restraint and responsibility' in public discourse, stating that such reckless commentary not only damages Revanth Reddy's credibility but also tarnishes the image of Telangana, a state that played a stellar role in India's freedom struggle. (ANI)
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
‘Zero demands met': In Rajasthan, Gujjars turn heat on BJP govt, clear decks for new stir
Accusing the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government in Rajasthan of not addressing any of their long-pending demands even after completing 17 months at the helm, a section of Gujjar leaders have called a Mahapanchayat on June 8 in Bharatpur's Pilupura village close to the railway tracks. The Gurjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti's president Vijay Bainsla said they were forced to call a Mahapanchayat as the Sharma government has done 'zero' works for the Gujjar community. A BJP leader, Vijay — son of the architect of the Gujjar reservation agitation, late Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla — contested the 2023 Assembly elections from Tonk's Deoli Uniara seat on the party's ticket, but lost to the Congress's candidate. On May 23, Vijay proposed the Mahapanchayat from Shaheed Sthal in Pilupura — the nerve centre of the agitation in 2008 where the police had fired on Gujjar protesters, killing several people. 'We have been talking continuously with the government for the last 17 months but things haven't been moving. So the community leaders said we need to hold a Mahapanchayat,' Vijay said. The Gujjar leaders have now been holding several small and big gatherings to mobilise the community for the Mahapanchayat, with peele chawal (yellow rice) being sent to many households for invitation. One of the main grievances of the protesters is related to the roster system of reservation. Currently, Rajasthan has 64% reservation: 21% for OBCs (Other Backward Classes), 16% for SCs (Scheduled Castes), 12% for STs (Scheduled Tribes), 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and 5% for MBCs (Most Backward Classes). Gujjars were included in the MBC category during the tenure of the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government. However, the Gurjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti alleges that Gujjars and other MBC communities have not been getting full benefits of reservation as the current roster system 'reduces' the reserved posts at the local level. Vijay says that the roster system to allot reservation at various levels has led to its 'fragmentation'. 'For example, we are supposed to get 5 posts for every 100 vacancies, or 1 in 20. But the government divides these 100 posts in multiple verticals, including tehsils, districts, departments. So, when the posts are reduced to say, 18, in a vertical, MBCs are left out. Roster system is a way of not giving reservation,' he said, alleging that SCs, STs, OBCs, and EWS were also affected by it. Vijay said the state government in 2019 had submitted before the high court that the MBC candidates are considered first in the general category, then among the OBCs, and then the MBC category, but it has not been implemented yet. He demanded that the proportionate jobs of the last 6 years should be thus given to MBCs. 'They (government) should implement it or issue a corrigendum if they think this was incorrect,' he said. The Samiti has demanded that the backlog for MBCs in Rajasthan Judicial Services should be filled too. The Gujjar protesters have also renewed the demand for inclusion of the 5% MBC reservation in the Ninth Schedule to grant it immunity from a judicial review. The state government had passed the MBC quota law in 2019, but it has not been included in the Ninth Schedule. Gujjars have also been pressing for long for withdrawal of cases against many of their community protesters, which had been lodged against them during several quota agitations over the years. Vijay alleged that not a single case has been withdrawn yet under the current government. In a letter to CM Sharma, he said the government's decision to not withdraw 74 cases (see box) is against the spirit of written agreements signed between the community and the governments over the years. On the other hand, he alleged, the orders for confiscation of land of some of the accused have been issued. He demanded that 'the families of the martyrs of the reservation agitation should get jobs on compassionate grounds, apart from compensation.' Another point of contention is pertaining to the implementation of Devnarayan schemes for the welfare of Gujjar students. Vijay alleged that there has been poor implementation of these schemes for 17 months, adding that neither enough scholarships nor scooties have been provided to eligible students. In the financial year 2024, not a single scooty was provided despite a budget provision of over 20 crores under Devnarayan Chhatra Scooty Yojana, he said. Similarly in 2024-25, only Rs 19 lakh was spent under this head against a budget provision of Rs 50 crore; for this financial year, over a quarter of the budget for Devnarayan schemes lapsed. Vijay said the monthly review meeting of the Devnarayan Board and the government has not taken place for 17 months, demanding its resumption. 'What happens now is what the CM (Bhajan Lal Sharma) wants. If he wants to resolve the issues, they will be resolved. If he wants us to sit on the tracks, so be it. The ball is in his court,' Vijay said. Significantly, Jats of the region have also extended their support to the Gujjars' proposed stir. On Thursday, Jat leader Nem Singh Faujdar, who has been leading a campaign for inclusion of Jats of Bharatpur and Dholpur in the Central OBC list, announced his support to the June 8 Mahapanchayat. Rajasthan Minister of State for Home, Jawahar Singh Bedam, who belongs to the Gujjar community, told The Indian Express: 'Since Vijay Bainsla ji is a BJP leader and there is BJP government, he should meet the CM once and keep his points across; the CM is sensitive. If the talks progress in a positive manner, then certainly the issues can be resolved in a time-bound and lawful manner.' Bedam also said, 'I am myself involved in this and we want all the issues to be resolved in a time- bound manner. I am continuously in touch with officials. Our government is accountable to the people. Whatever the issues are, we will try to resolve them positively by sitting together.' Total cases: 794 Chargesheeted: 373 · Of which withdrawn: 241 · Not withdrawn: 74 · Decided: 46 · Pending in courts: 12 Final reports before courts: 390 · Of which accepted: 361 · Pending in courts: 26 · Returned by courts: 03 Under investigation: 31
