Congress Claims Minister Evades MSP Guarantee Question

Congress criticized Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for evading questions about a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) during a Rajya Sabha session. They accused the Modi government of betraying farmers, while Chouhan stated that the government is committed to farmers' welfare and is reviewing MSP system improvements.

The Congress on Friday claimed that Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan evaded a direct reply to a question on whether the government will introduce a legal guarantee for MSP, and took a swipe at him, saying all that the minister accomplished was 'delivering a jalebi'.

Opposition parties led by the Congress created a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha, as they were not satisfied with Chouhan's reply on providing a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) to farmers for crops.

The controversy was driven by Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, who, in a post on X, cited Chouhan's evasive response to a straightforward question about a legal MSP guarantee as demanded by farmer organizations.

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala further escalated the issue, terming the day a 'black day' for farmers. He accused the Modi government of dishonesty, claiming that the government has no intentions of legally securing MSP for 72 crore farmers and farm laborers, as promised.

Chouhan, during his reply in the Rajya Sabha, reiterated the government's commitment to farmers, noting that a panel has been set up to review and make the MSP system more effective. The committee, he said, is working on several agriculture-related issues and will present its recommendations in due course.

While Chouhan assured improvements in MSP rates, Congress leaders insisted that the Modi government has backtracked on its promises to farmers, highlighting the significance of legal backing for MSP and adherence to the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.