Latest MSP News | Top MSP News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking MSP News Today | English MSP News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

Rakesh Tikait slams government over anti-farmer steps, demands action on MSP SKM lauds tractor parades, calls for repeal of anti-farmer decisions

January 27, 2025, 9:03 pm

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait accused the union government of bringing “anti-farmer policies” to deprive the farmers of their right of guaranteed Minimum Support Price. During a visit to Haryana’s Kaithal on Monday, Tikait accused the government of misleading farmers by making false claims about the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and ignoring the needs of small farmers and laborers.

He reiterated his support for the ongoing movement led by Daljit Dallewal. Tikait also announced that the farmers’ demands will be discussed during the February 14 meeting with the government.
However, Tikait refrained from making any comments over farmers’ issues in his home state of Uttar Pradesh, but criticized former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal’s policies, claiming that Haryana’s mandi system has collapsed. “Earlier, even crops from outside Haryana were sold here. Now, local farmers are struggling to sell their produce in the mandis,” he said, emphasizing that MSP is a nationwide issue and not limited to one state.

Tikait accused the government of waiving off loans for big corporations while neglecting small shopkeepers, farmers, and laborers. He warned that if this continues, 70% of the country’s land will soon be in the hands of industrialists. He also alleged a conspiracy to end weekly village markets.
Highlighting the long-standing farmers’ agitation, Tikait said the government’s actions during the protests had made it clear that it does not prioritize farmers’ welfare. He urged the government to address the farmers’ issues promptly, warning that they are prepared to go to any extent to secure their rights.

Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to the Tractor, Vehicle, and Motorcycle Parades held across the country on Republic Day. The SKM leaders claimed that the thousands of farmers, along with trade unions like the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (JPCTUs) and IFTU, organized rallies at district and subdivision levels in most states, demanding the repeal of anti-farmer laws, implementation of MSP at C2+50% with legal guarantees, and a loan waiver, among other demands.
The SKM reaffirmed its commitment to opposing the four labor codes and the New Policy for Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM), which they described as anti-farmer, anti-federal, and anti-national.

In a first in India, Haryana guarantees MSP to 24 crops

December 24, 2024, 3:36 am

Amid the ongoing protest in Punjab for guaranteed minimum support prices, BJP-led Haryana government has issued a notification to procure all the 24 crops of state farmers on MSP.

With the notification Haryana has become the first state in the country to ensure the procurement of all 24 crops at the MSP set by the Union government.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued a notification to procure 24 crops from farmers in the state at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

The government claimed that the decision aims to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce. As per the notification the government agencies procure ten additional crops including Ragi, Soybean, Nigerseed, Safflower, Barley, Maize, Jowar, Jute, Copra, and Summer Moong on the MSP.

These crops will now be added to the list of 14 crops already being procured at MSP, which includes important food and cash crops like Paddy, Bajra, Kharif Moong, Urd, Arhar, Til, Cotton, Groundnut, Wheat, Mustard, Gram, Masur, Sunflower, and Sugarcane.

The notification aligns with the Central government’s MSP policy, ensuring that all the notified crops are procured at the government-announced MSP. In addition, sugarcane will continue to be procured at a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed Rs 400 per quintal by the state government. However, as per the officials in the state agriculture department the farmers registered on Meri Fasal Mera Bayora portal will be eligible to sell their produce on MSP.

“The decision was taken in the interest of the farmers of the state as the state government has given the guarantee to procure 100 percent crops of all farmers”, said chief minister Nayab Saini.

Greeting farmers on the occasion of the National Farmers’ Day Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that with the notification Haryana has become the only state in the country to procure all 24 notified crops on the MSP fixed by the union government.

The agriculture minister also thanked Haryana chief minister for taking this historic step.

The move also assumes major political significance as farmers in neighbouring state of Punjab were protesting against the union government demanding an act to guarantee MSP. The Haryana government’s decision has left a message that the state governments can also ensure the procurement of all crops on MSP.

‘Protesting Farmers Have Minor Issues, Mostly From Punjab Not Haryana’, Says BJP Minister

December 6, 2024, 7:15 pm

Haryana Minister Krishna Kumar Bedi stated on Friday that farmers from Haryana are not participating in the ongoing protests, emphasising that the demonstrators are primarily from Punjab.

Speaking at the unveiling of a statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar at Maharishi Dayanand University in Rohtak, Bedi said, “The protesting farmers have minor issues that will be addressed by the central government and court orders.” He added that farmers in Haryana are benefiting significantly from various government schemes.

Bedi highlighted the efforts of the Haryana government in supporting its farmers, claiming that no other state has done as much. “The Haryana government has made 24 decisions in favour of farmers, including a promise to buy crops at MSP,” he said. Bedi also mentioned the state’s compensation for unharvested crops this season.

He further pointed out the Supreme Court’s praise for Haryana’s stubble management efforts, contrasting it with the situation in Punjab. “The Haryana government has been praised by the Supreme Court for its efforts in stubble management, something that is not happening in Punjab. These are all farmers from Punjab,” he remarked.

On the political front, Bedi criticized the Congress Party for alleging that the BJP intends to abolish the Constitution. He firmly rejected these accusations, stating, “The Constitution cannot be abolished, and the Congress has no answer regarding the Constitution. The Chief Minister had clarified all points in the Assembly.”

Elaborating further, Bedi said, “The Constitution can never be abolished because it was created by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who not only showed India the way but also the world.” He accused the Congress of having no concrete explanation to back their claims against the BJP.

Also read: Iran’s Saman-1 Space Tug Elevates Satellites to Higher Orbits with Precision

Bedi’s comments come amidst rising tensions between farmers and the government, as farmers plan to march towards Delhi to press their demands. However, Bedi reiterated that the central government and the courts are prepared to address the concerns raised by the protesting farmers from Punjab.

BJP Government offers highest MSP for crops in Haryana, says Anil Vij

September 4, 2024, 3:10 am

Former Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that Haryana is a state where the BJP government has provided the highest Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops for farmers. He mentioned that MSP has been given on 24 crops, making Haryana the first state in the country to do so. He further criticized Bhupinder Singh Hooda, saying that even when Hooda was the Chief Minister, he did nothing for the farmers and questioned when Hooda provided MSP on more crops than the BJP in Haryana.

In response to a question about the Supreme Court›s impending decision regarding bulldozer operations, he said that the decision of the Honorable Supreme Court will be studied because it is our guiding authority, and further actions will be taken in accordance with their ruling.

In response to Dushyant Chautala›s remark that the Chief Minister is like a cut kite, Vij said that they do not need to answer Chautala. When the BJP releases its list, the Chief Minister›s name will also be included. He advised Chautala to focus on his party as their supporters are fleeing.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi›s statement regarding mob lynching of Muslims under BJP›s rule, Vij said that the peace under Modi›s governance is unmatched, whereas during the Congress era, the entire country and states were engulfed in riots. However, under BJP›s rule, everything is under control.

When asked about Rahul Gandhi›s statement regarding changing the Constitution, Vij said that it was actually Rahul Gandhi›s grandmother who attempted to change the Constitution, not the BJP. She used Article 356 to dissolve state assemblies, whereas Narendra Modi has not done so.When asked about AAP›s claim that they will provide the same facilities in Haryana as they do in Delhi and Punjab, whereas BJP has provided none, Vij said that the people of Delhi threw AAP out from all seven Lok Sabha seats, and similarly, AAP faced a severe setback in Punjab. AAP has lost its credibility and now has nothing left. When asked about the absence of candidate lists from any party for the Haryana Assembly elections, Vij said that nominations haven›t even started yet, but he hopes that all party lists will be released before the nominations.

Cabinet Approves MSP for 14 Kharif Season Crops, Farmers to Get Rs 35,000 Crore More Over Previous Season

June 19, 2024, 9:07 pm

The Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has made significant announcements aimed at bolstering agricultural support and welfare measures for farmers across India. Here are the key highlights:

1. Minimum Support Price (MSP) Announcement:
– The Union Cabinet approved MSPs for 14 Kharif season crops, which include staples like paddy, ragi, bajra, jowar, maize, and cotton.
– This decision is expected to have a financial implication of Rs 2 lakh crore for the government.
– Farmers are projected to gain around Rs 35,000 crore more compared to the previous season, demonstrating a substantial increase in MSP rates.

2. Objective of MSP Implementation:
– The government remains committed to ensuring that farmers receive a price for their produce that is at least 50% more than the input costs.
– This decision aligns with the ongoing efforts to support farmers and improve their economic well-being.

3. Focus on Oilseeds and Pulses:
– The MSPs for oilseeds and pulses have seen the highest absolute increase compared to the previous year, indicating targeted support for these critical crops.

4. Continuity and Change in Governance:
– Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that the decisions taken under PM Modi’s third term focus on continuity with change.
– This approach aims to build upon the economic foundations laid in the previous terms while introducing significant new measures for the benefit of farmers and the broader population.

5. PM-KISAN Initiative:
– Recently, PM Modi authorized the release of the 17th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.
– This initiative disbursed more than Rs 20,000 crore to approximately 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
– The PM-KISAN scheme continues to play a crucial role in providing direct financial assistance to farmers, further illustrating the government’s commitment to farmer welfare.

In conclusion, these measures underscore the government’s proactive stance towards supporting agriculture and ensuring equitable benefits for farmers, reflecting its broader commitment to rural development and economic growth.

‘Delhi Chalo’ march on standby, says farmer leaders

February 19, 2024, 9:59 am

According to farmer leaders, the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march has been put on ‘standby’ because the central government has proposed a Minimum Support Price (MSP) at the fourth round of talks.
The farmer leaders stated that they will hold discussions on the government’s MSP proposal, and the march will resume ‘peacefully’ on February 21.

“So we will review this proposal with all our colleagues, some agricultural experts, and other legal experts and then we will be able to decide what to do about it. So today we will go and have a similar discussion with our colleagues. As far as our decision to go to Delhi was concerned, it is on standby right now, we have said that today it is the 19th and on the 21st at 11 am, we will move forward peacefully,” Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee said while speaking to ANI on Monday.

“In the meantime, we would like to make every effort from our side to put our point before the Centre today, its medium can be anything, then in these two days, yesterday the minister also said that there are still some things, so we will also go to Delhi and discuss with them,” the farmer leader said.

Protesting farmers are camped along the Shambhu Border near Ambala.
Tractors, trolleys, and vehicles were observed in significant numbers lining up at the border when the protests were halted.
The government has increased strong security at both the Shambhu and Gazipur borders, with multi-layered barricades preventing angry farmers from entering the national capital.

According to reports, hundreds of farmers, a few journalists, and police officers were hurt during the clash between protestors and security forces.
Earlier, Union Minister Piyush Goyal claimed to have had a very positive and comprehensive discussion with farmer leaders.

“With new ideas and thoughts, we had a positive discussion with the Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union and other farmer leaders. We had a detailed discussion on how to carry forward the work done by PM Modi in the last 10 years,” he said.

Union ministries and farmer leaders had previously met on February 8, 12, and 15, but the meetings had ended without a resolution.

The striking Punjab farmers have made several requests, including an ordinance to ensure legal guarantees for MSPs and loan waivers.

The non-political Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have issued a ‘Delhi Chalo’ plea, pushing the BJP-led Centre to meet their requests.

Farmers from Punjab encountered security forces at the Shambhu and Khanauri border posts, located between Punjab and Haryana, as they began their march to the national capital on February 13.

Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi Govt. and says only Congress Govt can guarantee MSP for farmers

February 17, 2024, 11:52 am

On Saturday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, describing it as a ‘curse’ for the country’s farmers.
Kharge also accused the administration of treating farmers as enemies. Kharge claimed that only the Congress party can guarantee farmers the legal entitlement to a Minimum Support Price (MSP).

“The Modi government is a curse for the country’s food-providing farmers. Due to the continuous false ‘Modi’s Guarantee’, the first 750 farmers lost their lives and now, yesterday, 1 farmer has been martyred and 3 have lost their eyesight due to rubber bullets. The Modi government has treated farmers like enemies, Only Congress will give them the legal right of MSP!” Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on ‘X’.

The security forces stationed at the Shambhu Border continued to prevent agitating farmers seeking to reach the national capital on Saturday, as the protests entered their fifth day.
Hundreds of farmers and journalists have been hurt as protestors clashed with police repeatedly in an attempt to break through the multi-layered barriers.
The protesting farmers have been camped at border crossings since the March began on Tuesday, February 13.

A third round of discussions with the central government ended in an impasse on Thursday, amid a standoff between protesters and security officers on the Punjab-Haryana border. There will be another round of discussions on Sunday.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have called for a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to pressure the BJP-led Centre to adopt their demands.

The farmers have presented 12 demands to the central government, for which they are marching to Delhi. This time, the demonstration has been called by the non-political Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, which is led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

According to the protesting farmers, the Centre guaranteed them higher crop prices, therefore they halted their 2021 protest. They want a law that guarantees a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, as outlined in the Swaminathan Commission report.
They also want a comprehensive debt waiver and a system to pay pensions to farmers and farm workers.

Chaos ensues at Shambhu Border as police fires tear gas after farmers attempt to Breach Barricades

February 13, 2024, 2:21 pm

On Tuesday, the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border saw chaotic scenes as angry farmers marched towards Delhi and attempted to break through police barricades.
Farmers were observed attempting to remove the cement wall with their tractors while attempting to reach the Shambhu border.
The police used tear gas to disperse protestors at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border as they attempted to breach the multi-layered barricades.

In preparation for the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, the police have deployed concrete slabs, iron nails, barricades, barbed wires, police, and paramilitary men in Kurukshetra, Haryana.

On security deployment at the Jharoda border, DCP Dwarka Ankit Singh said, “Section 144 CrPC is imposed in the city, tractor trolleys are not allowed in the city. Social media monitoring has also been done. Drone is an effective tool for security monitoring, we will use it.”

Earlier in the day, Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that all efforts were made during the conference to find a solution to prevent a confrontation with the government, and that they expected a positive outcome.
Union Minister Arjun Munda responded to the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by emphasizing the importance of patience and thought in addressing the farming community’s issues.

“We care about the interests of the farmers. It is not our concern if someone is doing politics over this issue. We have always been ready for talks and discussions and we are ready to do everything possible to find a solution to this issue.”

Arjun Munda is one of several ministers conducting discussions with farmer leaders, including Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister of State Nityanand Rai, and Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.
The farmers have presented 12 demands to the central government, for which they are marching to Delhi.
The protest was organized by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, which is led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

According to the protesting farmers, the centre guaranteed them higher crop prices after which they terminated their 2021 protest.
They want to pass legislation ensuring a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, as suggested by the Swaminathan Commission report.
They also want a comprehensive debt waiver and a system to pay pensions to farmers and farm workers.
Farmers have also advocated the repeal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and the reintroduction of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, which requires farmer approval and compensation equal to four times the collector rate.

They also demand that those responsible for the Lakhimpur Kheri massacres be punished.
Farmers have also made an appeal to offer 200 days of employment per year and a daily pay of Rs 700 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA), which is linked to farming.
In addition, a demand has been made for compensation to the families of farmers who died during the protests in 2021, as well as a job for any family member.

‘Low MSP’ to farmers due to excessive supply of potatoes

March 11, 2023, 4:57 pm

Due to an excessive supply of potatoes, prices have fallen by half from a year earlier in several states, including Uttar Pradesh. The farmers are staring at a loss as the wholesale price has dipped below the production cost. As per some reports, the common variety of potatoes is priced at Rs 12–15 a kg, while the better variety is fetching Rs 18–19, which is half as compared to last year.

As per some reports, Uttar Pradesh, which is the largest producer of the potato crop, has witnessed a 15 percent increase in production in the latest crop season compared with a year earlier, when the state had produced 15.5 million metric tons of potatoes.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday slammed the central government for offering low minimum support prices to the farmers, which would not cover the cost of production.

Taking to Twitter, the SP chief said, “Problems of potato-producing farmers in UP in a BJP government: Continuous increase in the cost of potatoes.” “It is also difficult to extract the cost due to the low price: not getting tokens for storage, spending nights outside in cold storage, continuous rejection of the demand for MSP by the BJP government; potatoes will change the government this time,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shivpal Singh Yadav said, “Government’s order to buy potatoes at the rate of Rs 650 per quintal… Not enough sir! This support price is a joke for a farmer who buys seeds at the rate of Rs 2,500 per quintal.”

Farmers protest at Ramlila Maidan; demands MSP guarantee

December 19, 2022, 12:19 pm

Over one lakh farmers from 560 districts’ 60 thousand village committees, across the country, are expected to stage a protest ‘Kisan Garjana Rally’ at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Monday.

Meanwhile, farmers of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) are staging a protest voicing their demand for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce.

Moreover, to attend the Kisan Garjana Rally at Ramila Maidan over one lakh farmers are expected.

According to the official release from BKS stated, “The farmers will reach Ramlila Maidan as a part of the ‘Jan Jagran’ program, which kick-started four months ago.”

All India campaign chief of BKS, Raghvendra Patel said, “In the last 4 months, about 20,000 Km of foot march, 13,000 Km cycle rallies, and 18,000 street meetings, including large gatherings at Southern State Telangana and Madhya Pradesh of Central India, were organized across the country by BKS, after which this mega rally has been organized at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan today.”

“This rally has been organized on four major demands, which are, first, remunerative price should be implemented on the basis of cost and should be ensured, secondly, GST should be abolished on all types of agricultural inputs, thirdly, there should be a substantial increase in the ‘Kisan Samman Nidhi’, a Central Sector scheme with 100 percent funding from Government of India that give farmers up to Rs 6,000 per year as minimum income support. Fourth, permission for Genetically Modified (GM) crops should be withdrawn,” Patel stated.

Earlier Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory ahead of the “Kisan Garjana” rally at Ramleela Ground.

Taking to Twitter Delhi Traffic Police said, “Traffic Advisory On the occasion of Kisan Garjana Rally, being organized at Ramleela Ground on 19.12.22, elaborate traffic arrangements have been made. Citizens are advised to plan their commute accordingly.”

However, the traffic police urged people to maximize the use of public transport on rally day to avoid congestion on the roads.