Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, accusing those who cast doubt on the concept of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce of disrespecting the legacy of Bharat Ratna Dr. MS Swaminathan, renowned as the architect of the Green Revolution.
Rahul Gandhi's remarks come in the wake of farmers' protests rejecting the government's offer to procure pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP through state agencies over five years, citing it as detrimental to their interests.
Taking to social media, the Congress leader emphasized the significance of the MSP guarantee in fostering agricultural investment, enhancing rural demand, and instilling confidence among farmers to diversify their crop cultivation.
"In a country where enormous bank loans have been waived off and substantial corporate tax exemptions granted, why is there resistance to even a modest investment in farmers?" he queried.
Championing the cause of farmers, Gandhi reiterated that MSP assurance would not only bolster agricultural investment and rural demand but also embolden farmers to cultivate diverse crops, thereby fueling the nation's prosperity.
The assertion of MSP's importance also coincides with Rahul Gandhi's recent pledge that a Congress-led government would enshrine legal safeguards for MSP if elected. However, it's pertinent to note that during the UPA regime in 2010, the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations were not entirely embraced. Then-Minister of State for Agriculture KV Thomas conveyed to the Rajya Sabha that while many of the recommendations were accepted, caution was exercised regarding a direct link between MSP and production costs, fearing potential market distortions.
The BJP's Prakash Javadekar questioned the rejection of the Swaminathan Commission's proposals at the time, prompting a response from Congress leader Pawan Khera, who highlighted that a majority of the recommendations had indeed been incorporated into policy during the UPA era.
