Union government giving fake facts on MSP, claims Congress’ Surjewala
: The Congress, on Monday, charged the union government with using “fake facts and hoodwinking the nation” on the issue of hike in the MSP of 14 Kharif crops.
Challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate on the Centre’s claim that farmers were given historic increase that included cost-plus 50% profit, the party attempted to generate some debate ahead of PM’s July 11 rally at Malout in Punjab. Farmers of northern states will be the key audience at the rally.
Addressing a press conference, the Congress’ communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that after the BJP failed to fulfil its pre-election promise of doubling the farmers’ incomes, the party and its allies were trying to "hoodwink" the people.
“The Modi government has attempted to disguise the MSP announcement of July 4 as an electoral lollipop to take credit and for duping the farmers,” Surjewala said.
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and state agriculture minister OP Dhankar, he said, went to the extent of dancing on these lies, while Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) announced a thanksgiving rally in Malout.
He said that "fake-congratulatory publicity" and "false-drum beating" could manage headlines, but not relief to the farmers. “We challenge the Prime Minister and the Union agriculture minister for an open debate on MSP and other farmer issues,” Surjewala said.
He pointed out that Congress will present all facts and expose the union government in Parliament.
He added that the union government had given cost-plus 50% profit in real terms in the past four years, farmers would have earned an additional ₹2 lakh crore. He claimed the MSP announced by the Modi government did not match the promised cost plus 50% figure. “Is it not betrayal of the farmers?” he asked and sought to know if the increase in input costs like fertilisers, pesticides, diesel, farm equipment etc were factored in the MSP hike.
“No one is disputing there has been an increase in MSP, so just say you have increased the MSP. However, don't hoodwink or mislead and present fake facts to say you have given cost plus 50% profit,” he claimed.
The Congress leader said for the first time, there is GST on fertilisers, tractors, on farm equipment, on pesticides.
Just say you have increased the MSP. Don't hoodwink or mislead and present fake facts to say you have given cost plus 50% profit. RANDEEP SINGH SURJEWALA, communications in-charge, Cong