Chhattisgarh CM promises higher paddy MSP

His comments came a day after he announced that the state will procure paddy from December 1 at Rs 1,815 per quintal for common grade, and at Rs 1,835 for grade A.

Updated on: Nov 27, 2019, 02:17:55 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said his government will launch a new scheme to provide Rs 2500 per quintal to farmers while procuring paddy.

His comments came a day after he announced that the state will procure paddy from December 1 at Rs 1,815 per quintal for common grade, and at Rs 1,835 for grade A.

The Opposition said his stand was a departure from his 2018 poll promise of buying paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal.

“A five-member committee has been constituted to study how Rs 2,500 per quintal benefit could be ensured to farmers. The committee will submit its report ahead of the upcoming budget session and thereafter new scheme will be formed,” said Baghel in the state assembly on

Wednesday.

The minimum support price for paddy will be given to farmers as per the rate fixed by the Centre, while a new scheme will be initiated in order to pay the farmers the difference amount to make it Rs 2500 per quintal, he clarified.

On Monday, Baghel said the state government is committed to fulfilling all pre-poll promises made to farmers, and blamed the central government for not agreeing to the state’s demand for increasing the MSP to Rs 2,500 per quintal.

But the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it will hold protests across Chhattisgarh against the government’s decision to procure paddy at the MSP fixed by the Centre.

Reacting to the decision, former chief minister and BJP national vice-president Raman Singh said the Congress government betrayed the farmers by not procuring paddy at the rate promised during polls.

“The BJP, along with the farmers of the state, will protest at 1,380 paddy procurement centres of the state on December 1 and will also submit a memorandum to the government,” Singh said.

Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) president Amit Jogi too said Baghel have fooled the peopled of the state.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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