Government went back on MSP promise: Rajya Sabha MP

New Delhi, Aug 8:

The government has breached public trust at a time of agricultural distress by not implementing the Swaminathan panel’s recommendations on minimum support price (MSP), Rajya Sabha member K.T.S. Tulsi said on Monday.

The National Commission on Farmers, headed by M.S. Swaminathan, had recommended an MSP which was 50 per cent more than the weighted cost of production.

“All of us remember that during elections, repeated promises were made to farmers that minimum support price in accordance with the formula of M.S. Swaminathan will be adopted which is 50 per cent above the cost of production,” Tulsi said in the Rajya Sabha.

“On 6th April in reply to an RTI query, we found the Swaminathan commission’s suggestion has been rejected on ground that it will result in distortions in the market,” he said.

“There was a solemn promise made. There is complete breach of trust particularly when 3,228 farmers have committed suicide in the country,” he said.

Tulsi said 2,911 suicides took place in Maharashtra alone.

Several other members backed Tulsi in his criticism of the government. (IANS)