Jaipur: Finance minister Diya Kumari Wednesday announced a bonus of Rs 150 per quintal on Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat. The move, however, failed to bring cheer to farmers. National president of Kisan Mahapanchayat, Rampal Jat, said, "The proposed increase in wheat MSP is only Rs 25 higher than last year, whereas the election manifesto promised Rs 375 per quintal."
Another farmer Bhagwan Singh highlighted concerns regarding other crops, including mustard and gram prices. "Mustard, with an MSP of Rs 5,950 per quintal, is being sold at Rs 4,600–Rs 5,500 per quintal. Similarly, gram, with an MSP of Rs 5,650 per quintal, is expected to sell below Rs 5,000 per quintal. Farmers already sold moong at Rs 3,500 per quintal below MSP," he said.
However, many marginal farmers have welcomed the increase in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi amount from Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000. "It's a welcome move. Though it may not solve all our challenges, it will help us buy better seeds, fertilisers, and meet household needs with a little more ease," said Bajrang Prajapat, a farmer.
A provision of Rs 325 crore for fencing support to 75,000 farmers has also been appreciated.
