News Analysis India

Tag: msp

  • MP govt procures record 37.26 lakh MT paddy on support price

    Express News Service
    BHOPAL: The BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh has now reported a record purchase of 37.26 lakh metric ton (MT) paddy on support price from farmers.

    Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while reviewing paddy procurement work on support price, said that Rs 5,000 crores have already been paid to paddy farmers against the procurement of their produce on support price and 90% paddy has already been transported.

    He instructed the officials concerned to make the remaining payment of farmers and complete the transportation of the remaining paddy at the earliest. Further, he directed to complete the milling work of the purchased paddy as soon as possible.

    Chouhan said there was excess paddy purchase in all the districts on support price except Vidisha compared to last year. Districts with the maximum procurement compared to last year include Hoshangabad, Raisen, and Sehore with 217%, 310%, and 321% purchase respectively. A total of 25.85 lakh MT of paddy was purchased in the state in 2019-20 and 21.96 lakh MT in 2018-19.

    Further, a total of 2,24,919 lakh MT of jowar and millet have been purchased at support price this year. In all, 6,491 farmers have sold jowar and 35,926 farmers have sold millet at the support price. The total purchase amount is Rs 497 crore, against which a payment of Rs 496 crore has been made to the farmers.

    For the first time, the government has made a policy of milling during paddy procurement. During the procurement, 60,997 MT paddy was taken by the millers. A maximum of 37,800 MT was done was taken by millers in the Jabalpur district. Instructions have been given for milling of the entire paddy purchased before the rainy season.

    The CM further informed that the registration work for procurement on support price in Rabi season will be done from January 25 to February 20. For this, a total of 4529 registration centres have been set up in the state, compared to 2991 registration centres set up last year.

    The CM also informed that a new system is being put in place for the registration of sublets/ sharecroppers in Rabi season this year. Under this, registration will be made for purchase on support price for a contracted area up to five hectares.

  • Leaders selling paddy on MSP are agitating: Bhupesh Baghel

    Bhupesh Baghel has targeted the BJP movement on the paddy purchase issue. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that BJP leaders are agitating to make Purandeswari happy. Please tell that D. Purandeswari is the leader in charge of BJP in Chhattisgarh. Bhupesh Baghel further said that the Union Minister says that the income from selling crops in private mandi will increase, in such a way BJP leaders of Chhattisgarh are not in favor of the Centre’s law, hence selling paddy on MSP. CM Bhupesh Baghel said on the movement of BJP leaders that BJP leaders selling paddy are agitating, BJP leaders should not agitate on the basis of morality.

  • Protesting farmers ransack venue of CM Khattar’s meet to explain ‘benefits’ of farm laws; police use teargas shells

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Protesting farmers on Sunday took control and ransacked the venue of ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ programme at Kaimla village in Haryana’s Karnal district where Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to address people to highlight the “benefits” of the Centre’s three agriculture laws.

    Earlier, Haryana Police used water cannons and lobbed teargas shells to prevent farmers from marching towards the village.

    However, farmers reached the venue and disrupted the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ programme.

    They damaged the stage and broke chairs, tables and flower pots at the venue.

    The farmers also took control over a makeshift helipad where chief minister’s helicopter was to land.

    The programme was cancelled due to an unruly act by farmers at the behest of BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, BJP leader Raman Mallik said.

    Police had made elaborate security arrangements for the chief minister’s visit to the village where he was to speak to people to highlight the “benefits” of the Centre’s three farm laws.

    Karnal: Protesting farmers assemble in Kaimla village where Haryana CM @mlkhattar will hold Kisan Mahapanchayat shortly.Police use tear gas to disperse protestors. pic.twitter.com/nTPqt4wR1m
    — Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) January 10, 2021

    Under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), farmers, who have been demanding that the laws be repealed, had earlier announced to oppose the ‘kisan mahapanchayat’.

    Farmers were carrying black flags and shouting slogans against the BJP-led government as they attempted to march towards Kaimla village.

    Police had put up barricades at the entry points of the village to prevent protesting farmers from reaching the programme venue.

    The situation turned tense as farmers were adamant that they would not allow the chief minister to hold the programme.

    Policemen were seen trying to pacify the agitating farmers but they went ahead to take control of the stage.

    “We will not allow the government to hold this programme,” a protester said.

    Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed Chief Minister Khattar for using water cannons and teargas shells against farmers.

  • Farm laws: Congress to stage protest outside governor houses across country on January 15

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Saturday announced that it will stage protests outside governor houses across the country on January 15 to extend its support to the ongoing farmers’ agitation.

    “Why the government is not fulfilling its duties towards people? The government is sold out to few capitalists. The Congress party has decided to celebrate ‘Kisan Adhikar Diwas’ on January 15 while holding protest and demonstration at district headquarters. We will also organise rallies and after the rallies, we will march towards governor houses across the country. Now, the time has come to listen farmers’ voices,” said Congress’ General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala.

    This comes a day after the eighth round of talks between the government and the farmer unions remained inconclusive. The government asked farmer unions to “give an option other than repealing” and the next round of talks is proposed for January 15.

    While addressing a press conference here, Surjewala alleged that government is playing the games of meetings instead of repealing “black laws”.

    “Instead of repealing the black laws, Modi government is playing meeting-meeting, giving dates for talks. Farmers have been protesting for the last 40 days and 60 farmers have died. Prime Minister has not spoken a word condoling the demise of those farmers. This is the fight against the attrocities of government by farmers,” he added.

    ALSO READ: Farmers port out from Jio in Mysuru in protest against farm laws

    The Congress party will also run a campaign on social media with *SpeakUpForFarmers on January 15, Surjewala said.

    This comes after a meeting, which was charied by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, with party general secretaries and in-charges in connection with the ongoing farmers’ agitation at the borders of Delhi.

    According to sources, in the virtual meeting discussion was held on the situation and to chalk out a strategy to support farmer’s protests. Congress has been in support of the farmers in their movement against the newly enacted farm laws by the Centre in September.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had on Friday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is anti-farmers while Congress works towards their betterment. He said Congress will fight with the farmers to get the three farm laws repealed.

    ALSO READ: Farmers protest at Delhi borders against Shaheen Bagh verdict, petitioner to Supreme Court

    The Congress party has time and again slammed the Union government over the farm laws. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi met with President Ram Nath Kovind to discuss the laws and the issues faced by protesting farmers.

    With concerns that farm laws would weaken the minimum support system and mandi systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates, farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital for over a month against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

    Maintaining that the apprehensions are misplaced, the government has ruled out repealing the laws and asked farmer leaders to hold a discussion on clause by clause of the laws.

  • Farmers protest at Delhi borders against Shaheen Bagh verdict, petitioner to Supreme Court

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Petitioner Rishabh Sharma, who filed the plea to remove farmers from Delhi borders, has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court on Saturday urging immediate removal of protesting farmers from the borders claiming the agitation is in violation of its verdict on the Shaheen Bagh protest.

    Sharma said the top court allowed protests subject to public order but was silent on inconvenience to commuters and such permission is against its Shaheen Bagh judgment.

    Sharma, in his affidavit, stated, “If the farmers are allowed to continue protest by blocking the public road, it will not only contradict the court’s own judgment in Shaheen Bagh matter but also cause hardship and inconvenience to the common citizen as the increase in the raw material cost will automatically increase the cost of finished goods.”

    He further mentioned the newspaper reports citing farmers agitation shot up the raw material price by 30 per cent and incurred a daily loss of Rs 3,500 crore

    On December 2020, Sharma had filed a plea before the Supreme Court saying that commuters are facing difficulties due to the road blockades and the gatherings might lead to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

  • Farmers should have waited for next round of talks with Centre before tractor march: BJP

    Hussain said that people in Punjab and the Central government, both know the role of the state government in farmers protest.

  • No farmer is anti-national but some elements want to take advantage of them, says Baba Ramdev

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday said that some people are taking advantage of farmers and that not a single farmer in this country is anti-national.  

    “Not a single farmer of this country is anti-national but there are some elements who have other motives and want to take advantage of the farmers. The movement must be saved from such elements,” said the Yoga Guru.

    He also expressed his concern for the farmers protesting in such a bad weather when winters are on peak.   “The government is already listening to the concerns of the parents and has assured them of rectifying their issues,” said the Yoga Guru.

    He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in no way against farmers of this country. “He (Modi) is the first PM who has promised to double the income of the farmers of the country and to deliver justice. Instead of being adamant over rolling back the farm laws both sides must act on finding a midway,” said the yoga guru.

    Attacking the opposition parties, Baba Ramdev said that many parties who have nothing left to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi are dragging vaccine into politics.  

    “The opposition has nothing left through which they can blame Modi ji. These parties should refrain from politicising the vaccine. They have become ideologically bankrupt and have nothing. They should look for genuine issues to confront Modi and think of a ‘solution’ to his political acumen. We should all be alert of such elements who are hindering anything that is to benefit our country,” added Ramdev while speaking to the media in Haridwar.

    ALSO READ: Sudden change of mind due to government pressure? Minutes show expert panel’s Covaxin somersault

    Commenting further on the ongoing row over Indian vaccines approved by the government, Ramdev said that the vaccines are for the good of the people and the country should be thankful to the scientists. “Vaccine doesn’t belong to any party or a particular sect. It is a scientific product that is important for people having comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. They must get vaccinated along with our frontline health workers who are fighting this pandemic,” said Ramdev. He also asserted that people who are healthy must put their name on a waiting list and wait for vaccination.  

    Last month, Uttarakhand government officials had said that more than 93,000 health workers of the state will be given the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost. Officials from the state health department told that work is on to prepare a list of other frontline workers including those from the state police department as well as people aged over 50-years with any comorbidities.

     Uttarakhand will vaccinate over 20 lakh people in the state in the first phase of vaccination which will include one lakh frontline workers, five lakh sick and 13 lakh elderly. Whether they will be charged or be vaccinated free of cost is not clear yet.

    The state government has already formed multiple-level task forces at state, district and block levels for Covid-19 vaccination in the near future. The state-level task force, headed by the chief secretary, will have a total of 11 members including secretaries of finance, health, home, world and child development, urban development, Panchayati raj, rural development and director-general of health. 

  • Farm laws not introduced overnight, was discussed extensively for 20-30 years: PM Modi

    Addressing farmers virtually as part of Kisan Kalyan Sammelan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought to reassure them and reiterated that Minimum Support Price (MSP) will stay and there is no change.

    He also said that the new farm reform laws were not brought in overnight and that they were discussed in detail by every government over two decades.

    “Farm Laws have not been introduced overnight. Over the last 20-30 years, central government and state governments had detailed discussions on these reforms. Agriculture experts, economists and progressive farmers have been demanding reforms,” said PM Modi while addressing farmers at the ‘Kisan Kalyan’ event in Raisen through video conferencing.

    “I request all political parties with folded hands, please keep all the credit. I am giving credit to all your old election manifestos. I just want ease in the life of farmers, I want their progress and want modernity in agriculture,” he added.

    Today Rs 16 thousand crores are being transferred into the bank accounts of 35 lakh farmers of Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi stated.

    The Prime Minister further said the modern system that India has created in the last five to six years is being discussed and appreciated all over the world today.

    “The modern facility available to the farmers in the big countries of the world should be provided to the farmers of India also, it cannot be delayed any longer,” said PM Modi.

  • I’m happy people that country is with farmers, we are with them too: Arvind Kejriwal

     Kejriwal is holding a one-day fast in support of the farmers’ protest today. While addressing the people at the hunger strike Kejriwal said that Our farmers are in peril these days. Those who should be tilling their fields are sitting in the biting cold. But I’m happy people in the country including the army, lawyers, actors, doctors, are with them. We are with farmers too.

    Senior Delhi government ministers and AAP MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, are sitting on a ‘hunger strike’ in support of farmers who are protesting against the Centre’s farm laws. Ministers Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai, and party leader Aatishi Marlena are also present at the strike organised at the party headquarters.

    This comes after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced a one-day fast in support of the farmers’ protest on Sunday.

    Supporting the call given by the agitating farmers, he had urged AAP volunteers to join the farmers’ agitation. “Centre should immediately accept all demands of farmers protesting the laws and bring a bill to guarantee MSP (minimum support price),” Kejriwal had said.

  • New agricultural reforms have given farmers new options and legal protection, says PM Modi

    PM Modi arrives in Varanasi, to dedicate to the nation six-lane widening project of Handia (Prayagraj)-Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of NH19. He’ll also attend Dev Deepawali event, undertake site visit of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor Project & visit Sarnath Archaeological Site.

    During the tour, the Prime Minister will attend Dev Deepawali, undertake a site visit of Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor project and also visit the Sarnath archaeological site. The 73 km stretch of the newly widened and six-laned NH-19, made with a total outlay of Rs 2,447 crore, is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour.

    # The new agricultural laws have been brought in for benefit of the farmers. We will see and experience benefits of these new laws in the coming days: PM Modi

    # The new Farm law doesn’t stop anyone who wishes to sell produce according to old system. Earlier, any sale outside Mandi was considered illegal & small farmers were cheated as they were not able to reach Mandi. Farmers now are protected by law against cheating & fraud: PM Modi

    # The promise of giving 1.5 times more MSP to farmers as per Swaminathan Commission was fulfilled. This promise was not only fulfilled on paper, but has reached the bank account of the farmers: PM Modi