Dallewal slams home minister Shah on MSP claims

Veteran farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dallewal on Monday criticised Union home minister Amit Shah for his claims that the Centre had hiked the minimum support price (MSP) on various crops.

- Karam Prakash

PATIALA:

In a brief address at the Khanauri protest site, Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered the 21st day on Monday, said, "He (Amit Shah) holds a responsible position and should not spread misinformation. The rise in MSP of wheat between 2014 and 2024 has only been 56%. Meanwhile, the inflation and input costs have risen by 56.30%. The increase in MSP, as claimed by Amit Shah, pales in comparison to the rise in inflation and input costs."

Dallewal was responding to Shah's statement during a television interview, wherein the latter claimed that the Narendra Modi government had increased the MSP by 3.5 times between 2014 and 2024.

The farmer leader further said the real issue was the number of crops actually procured at MSP.

"Majority of crops in the country are procured below MSP, despite the Union government announcing MSP for various crops. This is precisely why we are fighting for a legal guarantee on MSP to ensure it is not just an announcement, but a reality," he said.