NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday raised a direct question in Parliament regarding the government’s failure to fulfil its 2021 promise to provide farmers with a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the C2+50% formula. Gandhi accused the government of evading a clear response.
In a post on X, Gandhi said he had asked why the commitment to implement a legal MSP at C2+50% had not yet been honoured.
He alleged that the government sidestepped the question and reiterated its current MSP policy instead. Furthermore, Gandhi claimed the government admitted to pressuring states to withdraw additional MSP bonuses, justifying the move vaguely in the name of “national priorities.”
Gandhi also raised concerns about ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, particularly regarding the reduction of “non-trade barriers.”
He questioned whether such measures might undermine the MSP framework and public procurement processes that benefit farmers. According to him, the government avoided addressing these concerns as well.
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of neglecting farmers’ interests and prioritising other agendas, Gandhi said, “The Modi government does not want to fulfil its promise to farmers and is willing to sacrifice Indian agriculture for other interests.”
He vowed that the Congress party would continue advocating for farmers’ rights and a legal MSP guarantee both inside and outside Parliament.
The demand for a legally guaranteed MSP based on the C2+50% formula, recommended by the National Commission on Farmers led by agricultural scientist M. S. Swaminathan, has been a long-standing demand of farmer groups.
The formula proposes that the MSP be fixed at least 50 per cent above the comprehensive cost of production (C2), which includes all expenses such as land rent and interest on capital.
The issue gained significant attention during the widespread protests against the three farm laws enacted in 2020. The laws were repealed in 2021 after prolonged demonstrations by farmers.
Farmer organisations continue to demand a statutory guarantee for MSP to ensure stable incomes for cultivators across the country.
Agencies