Deferring decision on wheat MSP in the wake of inter-ministerial differences, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday approved up to 20 percent hike in the minimum support price (MSP) for five rabi crops for 2013-14, as recommended by the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP).
As per government statement, the case of wheat would be taken for further consultation, as no decision was made due to differences between the Finance and Agriculture Ministries on the issue. The CCEA approved MSP of 5 rabi crops including barley at Rs 980 per quintal, gram at Rs 3,000 per quintal, masur at Rs 2,900 per quintal, rapeseed/mustard at Rs 3,000 per quintal and safflower at Rs 2,800 per quintal.
The Finance Ministry opined that higher wheat MSP could lead to increase in food subsidy bill and widen the fiscal deficit, would lead to rise in prices. Moreover, the CACP recommended freezing of wheat MSP at last year's level of Rs 1285 per quintal and has recommended announcing 10 percent bonus to growers in case wheat export was banned.
However, the decision to refer the issue of wheat MSP back to the CACP came hours after finance minister P Chidambaram made a fervent plea to his Cabinet colleagues to help in the government's efforts to repair public finances. Food ministry, further, added that any hike in the MSP of wheat would further increase the food subsidy bill by another Rs 4,000-5,000 crore.
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