Kamal Nath meets Modi, seeks Rs 575 cr as Center's share in MSP based procurement

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament and requested him for expeditious release of Rs 575.90 crore as Centre's share in a scheme aimed at addressing gaps in MSP-based procurement of crops, an official statement said. It was his first meeting with the prime minister after assuming the office of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Nath also raised the issue of pendency in giving clearance to mining activities in the state and delay in auctioning of mines which, he said, were adversely affecting economic activities in the state, a statement from the chief minister's office said. During the half-an-hour meeting, Nath requested Modi for an expeditious release of Rs 575.90 crore by the Centre as its share in PDPS (Price Deficiency Payment Scheme) pilot of Kharif 2017, according to the statement.

Nath also drew his attention to the Union government's decision to implement Prime Minister AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan) to back the earlier decision for remunerative MSP for oilseeds, the statement added. The scheme was implemented on the premise that 50 pc cost-sharing would be done. Accordingly, the Centre's share for PDPS pilot works out to be Rs 975 crore out of which it has released only Rs 400 crore, it said.

The statement said the chief minister also requested the PM to amend the PDPS policy to have an enabling clause to increase the target 25 pc of production to 40 pc of the productions of the state. This will help the approximately 8.27 lakh registered farmers who have traded approximately 23.40 metric tonnes of soybean under PDPS in APMCs, which is 35.50% of total production. He urged the prime minister to get the PDPS target for soybeans to 40 pc of state's productions i.e 26.92 LML.

The chief minister also requested the PM for giving early clearance for mining activities and expedite the auction process of mines. Nath praised the prime minister for a landmark step by amending Mines and Mineral (development and regulation) Act for greater transparency and accountability in allotment of rights, the statement said.

However, he pointed out that about 170 cases of existing applications are pending for grant of mining lease by virtue of section 10(a) 2(b) in the state. The state has already submitted 27 cases to the Ministry of Mines in the last year. He requested an early decision in this regard. He also requested the Prime Minister to expedite the auction process for mines.

(With inputs from agencies.)