Punjab Farmer Leaders Reject Rs 25 MSP Hike as Inadequate

Punjab farmer leaders have rejected the Centre's Rs 25 hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat, calling it an inadequate measure that fails to address the rising cost of cultivation.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan described the increase as a 'bitter joke' for farmers, stating that the marginal rise in prices was part of a broader policy that could push farmers away from agriculture.

The leaders alleged that increased imports of American agricultural produce under the India-US trade agreement could adversely affect Indian farmers and domestic markets.

They also raised concerns over the implementation of the C2+50% formula, which they believe should be used to fix wheat prices according to the M.S. Swaminathan Commission's recommendation.