Taking a stand against the Centre, president Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Mohinder Singh Kaypee has termed the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat as “grossly inadequate”.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Youth Fest at the Dev Samaj College, the Congress chief said, “The hike in MSP should have been at least Rs 100 against Rs 20 as announced. I will urge the Centre to review the decision.” The MSP was raised to Rs 1,100 from Rs 1,080 per quintal of last year.

“The input costs of crops have been high this year and the returns have been low. Other expenditure on inputs like diesel, fertilisers, pesticides, etc have burnt holes in the pockets of the farmers,” he said.

Claiming that the interest of the state was more important than any political post, Kaypee added that he would stand up for the rights of the farmers.

Answering a query, the PPCC president said he will soon take a delegation of the Congress MPs and MLAs and meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise him of the condition of the farmers in the state.

While appreciating the contribution of Punjab farmers in making the nation self-sufficient in food grains, Kaypee said he was hopeful that the PM would honour the efforts of the farming community by revising the MSP.