Bengaluru: Protests by farmers in North India have entered day 15. These farmers are demanding the repeal of the three farm laws passed by the Indian Parliament. 

Though these farm bills are seen as much needed reforms, opening up the private sector to agriculture, on the other hand, many of these farmers of the opinion that these farm bills snatch away their rights and dignity, force them to sell their land and ultimately does away with the very concept of minimum support price. 

 

While such news goes around, it is interesting to note that the Union government has purchased Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.

A popular website noted that for the current year, the centre has fixed the MSP of paddy (common grade) at Rs 1,868 per quintal, while that of A-grade variety has been fixed at Rs 1,888 per quintal.

 

The centre has reiterated that paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 has progressed smoothly in the procuring states & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar with purchase of over 350.29 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMTs) of paddy up to 07.12.2020. There has been an increase of 19.81 per cent in the total procurement as compared to last year, which had recorded 292.37 LMT of Paddy purchase.

Here's one interesting stat about Punjab: 

What is very interesting to note is that out of the total purchase of 350.29 LMTs of paddy, Punjab alone has sold 202.77 LMT till the close of procurement season in the state on 30.11.2020. This is said to be 56.93 per cent of total procurement in the country. 

 

On December 9, the government sent a proposal to the agitating farmers, apprising them of the concessions it is ready to dole out, but the farmers have only stuck to their guns.