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Cabinet approves 50% profit over input cost for rabi crops (Lead)
New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) A day after farmers protested for higher crop prices on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border, the BJP-led government on Wednesday approved MSP for rabi crops ensuring at least 50 per cent profit over production cost, including a Rs 105 hike for wheat.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all notified winter-grown crops for 2018-19, which will ensure additional returns of Rs 62,635 crore to farmers.
The decision comes ahead of the coming Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, which have seen farm distress in the recent past.
In case of gram (chana), the government has increased the MSP by Rs 220 to Rs 4,620 per quintal.
While the government said that the return over the production cost is 112.5 per cent for wheat, the year-on-year hike is just 6.1 per cent. Similarly, the annual hike is 5 per cent for gram even as the return claimed by the government is 75.2 per cent.
The government has approved the MSP based on ‘A2+FL’ factor — one of the input cost fixation formula devised by the M.S. Swaminathan Commission — when the farmers have been demanding the MSP using comprehensive ‘C2’ factor.
Compared with the MSP announced last year, the assured prices for this rabi season has been increased by Rs 845 for safflower (year-on-year hike of 20.6 per cent), Rs 200 for rapeseed and mustard (5 per cent), Rs 30 for barley (2.1 per cent), Rs 225 for masur or lentil (5.1 per cent).
Addressing a press conference here, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said for barley, the MSP is Rs 1,440 per quintal as against the production cost of Rs 860 per quintal, which gives a return of 67.4 per cent. It was Rs 1,410 per quintal last year.
For gram, the cost of production is Rs 2,637 per quintal whereas the new MSP is Rs 4,620 per quintal, giving a profit of 75.2 per cent.
The MSP for masur will be Rs 4,475 per quintal as against the production cost of Rs 2,532 per quintal, a profit of 76.7 per cent.
For rapeseed and mustard, the MSP is Rs 4,200 per quintal as against the production cost of Rs 2,212, a return of 89.9 per cent.
For safflower, the cost of production is Rs 3,294 per quintal whereas the MSP is Rs 4,945 per quintal, ensuring a profit of 50.1 per cent.
According to the government estimates, the target production of rabi crops is pegged at 142.50 million tonnes in 2018-19.
These crops will be harvested in March next year and be ready for procurement in April.
In the press conference, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the “historic” Cabinet decision embodies commitment of the Modi government to farmer welfare and ensuring them additional income.
The MSP announced includes all paid-out cost such as those incurred on account of hired labour, bullock and machine, rent paid for leased land, expenses on inputs like seeds, fertilisers, manures, irrigation charges, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital, diesel/electricity for operation of pump sets, miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.