The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked Punjab Government to come clear on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Sunflower seeds and Maize. The High Court also sought clarification from Haryana Government, whether it would purchase entire stock of Bajra and Sunflower.
Haryana was currently buying only 25 per cent of the total Sunflower seeds and Bajra produce. Taking up the matter, the Bench of Justice SS Saron and Justice Gurmit Ram asked Punjab to give reasons for not purchasing the Sunflower seed and Maize, while the central Government was ready to compensate the state for losses incurred on the purchase of these commodities.
Bharatiya Kisan Union, in its petition, had alleged that the Minimum Support Price of agriculture produce was fixed much below the actual cost of production and even that was not given to the farmers.
The petitioner added that the MSP for Sunflower was Rs 3,700 per quintal last year, but it was purchased for Rs 2,600-2,900 per quintal.
Advocate for the petitioner J.S. Toor had told the court that state was not picking the Maize from the markets on MSP, resulting in heavy losses to the farmers.
Asking both the state to come clear with their stands on the issue, the Division Bench adjourned the matter for May 20, 2016.