Sitharaman mounts veiled attack on Congress over MSP

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday me a veiled attack on Congress vis-a- vis new farm legislations, saying those who did t even provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) for commodities or than pdy and wheat were w raising 'unreasonable' apprehensions.

Stoutly defending new farm laws of Centre, she said se legislations came under ambit of union government and it covered inter-state farm tre.

On apprehensions that MSP may be scrapped by government, she said: "I find that absolutely unreasonable to keep speculating on it and say that this is concern of farmer." dressing a press conference here, minister said: "MSP is re, it was re and it shall continue to be re." Under "certain or governments" focus was only on giving and increasing MSP for pdy and wheat and y did t 'bor' about or crops, she said.

Though 20-23 items were covered under MSP regime, "those who gave" support price only for pdy and wheat and t for or crops were today crying foul raising apprehensions that government maydo away with system of MSP and it was surprising, she said, in an apparent reference to Congress and ors protesting against Centre's measures.

Only after BJP took over reins of power in 2014, MSP was extended to or crops beyond wheat and pdy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Though approximately 23-24 lakh tonnes of pulses were needed, onlyabout 16 lakh tonnes were produced and remaining was imported, she said ding MSP was given to or crops as well to reverse such a scenario by NDA government.

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