Fix Rs 3,284 MSP for paddy, Punjab urges Centre

Chandigarh, January 12

The state government has sent a proposal to the Central Government seeking a substantial hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops for the next marketing season. The state has also sought an additional Rs 100 per quintal in paddy MSP for managing paddy straw.

The proposal has been sent on the basis of a Punjab Agricultural University report, which has proposed MSP on the basis of input costs. The state government sends a proposal to fix the minimum support price for Kharif and Rabi crops.

The state government has demanded that for the year 2024-25, the MSP for paddy be set at Rs 3,284 per quintal for the ‘normal’ variety, Rs 3,324 per quintal for Grade A produce. Last year, Punjab had demanded that the MSP for paddy be raised to Rs 3184 per quintal, but the Centre approved a rate of Rs 2,183 per quintal.

The state government has demanded that the Centre fixed the MSP for cotton at Rs 10,767 per quintal for the next season, having sought a rate of Rs 8,860 per quintal last year.