Punjab Farmers Reject ₹25 Wheat MSP Hike, Demand Higher Prices

Punjab farmer leaders have rejected the Centre's decision to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat by ₹25 per quintal, terming it an inadequate hike. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan described the increase as a 'bitter joke' for farmers.

The farmer leaders alleged that the marginal increase in wheat prices was part of a broader policy that could push farmers away from agriculture. They also raised concerns over the implementation of the India-US trade agreement, alleging that increased imports of American agricultural produce could adversely affect Indian farmers and domestic markets.

The BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) leaders demanded that wheat prices be fixed according to the C2+50% formula, referring to the recommendation associated with the M.S. Swaminathan Commission. They also sought a legal guarantee of government procurement and strengthening of the Public Distribution System (PDS).