New Delhi, June 17: The Centre Wednesday sharply hiked the minimum support price (MSP) for pulses by up to Rs 275 per quintal for this year to boost domestic output and check price rise, while effecting an increase of Rs 50 in the paddy MSP to Rs 1,410 per quintal.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet Commitee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Paddy is the main crop grown in the kharif season. Sowing of kharif crop has already started with the onset of the southwest monsoon in June.
“CCEA has given the approval for the MSP for kharif crops of 2015-16 season. The decision is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP),” an official statement said.
Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said that after inclusion of bonus, the MSP of tur and urad has been fixed at Rs 4,625 per quintal each for 2015-16, which is higher by Rs 275 per quintal from the last year. Similarly, the MSP of moong has been hiked by Rs 250 to Rs 4,850 per quintal for this year from Rs 4,600 per quintal in the 2014-15 kharif season.
“This (increase in pulses MSP) is expected to give a strong price signal to farmers to increase acreage and invest for increase in productivity of pulses,” the statement said.
The MSP would be effective from October 2015, he said.
The Cabinet also directed that a credible procurement mechanism for pulses and oilseeds be put in place if a need arose.
“Last week, a decision to import pulses was taken. These measures are expected to complement efforts to keep a check on the price rise in pulses,” the statement added.
CEA has also approved the hike in the MSP of paddy byRs 50 per quintal for common variety to Rs 1,410 per quintal and Grade A variety to Rs 1,450 per quintal for this year. PTI
