Title: BRS MLA Harish Rao Questions Centre’s Double Standards on Cotton MSP
Hyderabad: T. Harish Rao, MLA from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), raised critical questions regarding the Central government’s approach to Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for cotton farmers. During a press briefing on October 16, he challenged the Centre to implement a “One Nation One MSP” policy to ensure equitable support for farmers across the country.
Rao highlighted what he described as the Centre’s double standards in cotton procurement, noting a stark disparity in MSP rates between states. He pointed out that while farmers in Telangana produce high-quality cotton, the Centre pays a significantly lower support price for their produce compared to that for cotton from Gujarat. Specifically, Telangana farmers receive an MSP of Rs 7,521 per quintal, whereas their counterparts in Gujarat receive Rs 8,257 per quintal.
In a post on X, Rao drew attention to the Centre’s various “One Nation” initiatives, including “One Nation One Election,” “One Nation One Ration Card,” “One Nation One Tax,” and “One Nation One Market.” He questioned the government’s reluctance to adopt a similar approach for MSP, emphasizing the need for a uniform pricing policy that would benefit farmers across the nation.
Rao’s comments reflect growing frustrations among Telangana farmers regarding the perceived indifference of the Union government towards their needs. He reiterated that the implementation of a “One Nation One MSP” policy would ensure fair compensation for farmers, fostering a more equitable agricultural landscape.
As the debate over agricultural policies continues, Rao’s remarks spotlight the ongoing challenges faced by farmers in Telangana and the necessity for a more supportive approach from the Central government.
