PROCURE MAIZE AT MSP TO PREVENT DISTRESS SALES: BADAL TO AAP

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday demanded that the Punjab government procure maize at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,090 per quintal to ensure that farmers would not have to resort to distress sales.

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In a statement, Badal accused the government of "running away" from its responsibility. Due to non MSP rates, farmers are being forced to sell their produce at Rs 500 to Rs 600 per quintal to private traders, he claimed. Demanding immediate procurement of the entire maize crop at MSP, the SAD president said: "Failing to do so will deal a severe blow to the (crop) diversification attempts of the Punjab government." Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced "with much fanfare" that maize, sunflower and pulses would be procured at MSP, lea