Rahul Gandhi Advocates Legal Guarantee for MSP to Empower Farmers and Drive Economic Growth
New Delhi, 20-02-2024 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized the transformative potential of providing a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers, asserting that it would not only uplift agricultural workers but also fuel the nation’s GDP growth. Addressing concerns surrounding the feasibility of MSP implementation within the government budget, Gandhi debunked purported misconceptions, highlighting data from CRISIL indicating a minimal burden of Rs 21,000 crore, representing a mere 0.4 percent of the total budget.
Questioning the discrepancy between substantial financial concessions granted to other sectors and resistance towards farmer support, Gandhi underscored the need for equitable investment in agriculture to stimulate rural economies. By ensuring a stable income through MSP, he argued, farmers would be incentivized to diversify crops, fostering agricultural innovation and bolstering national prosperity.
Dismissing detractors of MSP as undermining the vision of Dr. Swaminathan, Gandhi reaffirmed the significance of honoring the agricultural expert’s recommendations to empower farmers. In a veiled critique, he referenced Prime Minister Modi’s purported commitment to implementing the Swaminathan formula, juxtaposing it against the current standoff with protesting farmers.
Gandhi’s advocacy for MSP coincided with ongoing farmer protests, particularly the “Delhi Chalo” agitation, where farmers rejected the government’s proposal regarding MSP for specific crops. The demonstrations underscored broader demands for agrarian reform, including pension provisions, debt waivers, and justice for victims of past agitations.
As tensions persist between farmers and the government, Gandhi’s advocacy for MSP reflects a broader discourse on agricultural policy, highlighting the imperative of equitable support for rural livelihoods. With farmers at the forefront of the nation’s food security and economic stability, the debate over MSP resonates as a pivotal issue shaping India’s agricultural future.
