BKU Ugrahan calls Rs 25 wheat MSP hike a ‘cruel joke’, demands Swaminathan formulaਬੀਕੇਯੂ ਉਗਰਾਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਣਕ ਦੇ 25 ਰੁਪਏ ਏਮਐਸਪੀ ਵਾਧੇ ਨੂੰ ‘ਬੇਰਹਿਮ ਮਜ਼ਾਕ’ ਕਿਹਾ, ਸਵਾਮੀਨਾਥਨ ਫਾਰਮੂਲੇ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ

The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Punjab’s largest farmer union, has termed the Central Government’s Rs 25-per-quintal hike in the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat a ‘cruel joke’ on farmers, demanding that the crop’s price be fixed as per the Swaminathan Commission’s formula.

BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan, senior vice-president Jhanda Singh Jethuke and state secretary Shingara Singh Mann said the increase — from Rs 2,585 to Rs 2,610 per quintal for the coming rabi season — amounted to just 25 paise per kg, or less than one per cent.

“The nominal increase reflects a policy aimed at pushing farmers out of agriculture,” the leaders said, alleging that the Centre was also moving towards allowing American agricultural produce into Indian markets under a proposed India-US trade agreement, which they claimed would weaken the domestic agricultural market and the mandi system.

Rising costs, mounting debt

The farmer leaders said prices of fertilisers, agricultural inputs and household goods had risen substantially, while farmers, labourers and economically weaker sections were struggling with financial difficulties and mounting debt. The marginal MSP increase, they said, would only add to farmers’ debt burden.

They also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for not announcing any economic package for Punjab or its farmers during their recent visits to the state, alleging the two ministers did not address any of Punjab’s basic issues.

Demands: Swaminathan formula, legal guarantee

The union demanded that the wheat MSP be fixed according to the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations — 50 per cent profit over the comprehensive cost of production — and sought a legal guarantee for government procurement.

The leaders further demanded strengthening of the public distribution system and creation of adequate wheat reserves so that poor people could be provided free or subsidised foodgrains.

Farmer organisations across the state have echoed the criticism: the All India Kisan Sabha has called the Rs 25 hike the smallest wheat MSP increase in over two decades, arguing it fails to cover rising diesel, fertiliser and irrigation costs.

What MSP did the Centre announce for wheat?

The Centre raised the minimum support price of wheat by Rs 25 per quintal — from Rs 2,585 to Rs 2,610 — for the 2027-28 rabi marketing season. BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) says this works out to just 25 paise per kg, or less than one per cent.

What are the farmers demanding?

BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) wants the wheat MSP fixed as per the MS Swaminathan Commission’s formula — 50 per cent profit over the comprehensive (C2) cost of production — along with a legal guarantee for government procurement, a stronger public distribution system and adequate wheat reserves for the poor.

Why do unions oppose the hike?

Unions argue the Rs 25 increase does not cover rising input costs such as diesel, fertilisers and irrigation, and reflects a policy of pushing farmers out of agriculture. They also fear a proposed India-US trade agreement could open Indian markets to American farm produce and weaken the mandi system.