The Samajwadi Party (SP) Madhya Pradesh unit has sharply criticised the state government's decision to procure only 60 per cent of farmers' moong crop at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), alleging that the policy is anti-farmer. The party has also put forward an unusual proposal, demanding that legislators, Members of Parliament and ministers should receive only 60 per cent of their salaries if the government is unwilling to purchase farmers' entire produce.

Addressing the issue, SP state president Dr Manoj Yadav questioned what he termed a "double standard" in the government's approach towards farmers and elected representatives.

'Leaders Should Also Receive Only 60% Salary'

Dr Yadav said farmers cultivate their crops with full effort over several months, but the government has decided to procure only a part of the produce at MSP while forcing them to sell the remaining quantity in the open market at lower prices.

"If the government is not prepared to purchase 100 per cent of the farmers' moong crop, then legislators, MPs and ministers should also receive only 60 per cent of their salaries," he said, adding that public representatives should share the burden if farmers are denied the full benefit of government procurement.

He argued that leaders cannot justify drawing full salaries funded by taxpayers while farmers are unable to sell their complete produce at the assured support price.

Attack on Union Agriculture Minister

The Samajwadi Party also targeted Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, stating that both the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government are led by the BJP, yet farmers are still compelled to protest for their demands.

The party referred to the recent farmers' march from Narmadapuram to Bhopal, claiming that despite a "double-engine government", cultivators continue to struggle for assured procurement of their produce.

SP alleged that the government's decision to increase procurement from 25 per cent to 60 per cent came only after sustained protests by farmers and maintained that the revised limit remains inadequate.

The party demanded procurement of 100 per cent moong at an MSP of ₹10,000 per quintal, arguing that anything less would fail to provide meaningful relief to growers.

Food Security and Fertiliser Issues Raised

Apart from the procurement issue, the Samajwadi Party highlighted what it described as serious shortcomings in the state's fertiliser distribution system.

The party alleged that the existing e-token mechanism has forced farmers to travel long distances to obtain fertilisers while government outlets remain understocked. It further claimed that fertilisers are being sold at inflated prices in the open market, resulting in hardship for cultivators.

Demand for Inquiry Into Fortified Rice Distribution

The party also sought a high-level judicial inquiry into allegations concerning the diversion of fortified rice reportedly meant for malnourished women and children.

According to SP, rice valued at approximately ₹1,160 crore, intended for welfare programmes in several districts including Balaghat, was allegedly diverted for ethanol production. The party demanded an independent investigation into the matter.

Ken-Betwa Project Rehabilitation

The Samajwadi Party further raised concerns over the rehabilitation of families affected by the Ken-Betwa river linking project.

It urged the government to provide ₹25 lakh compensation along with three acres of land to each displaced family, particularly those belonging to tribal communities in Chhatarpur and Panna districts.

Key Demands

The Samajwadi Party has demanded:

• Procurement of 100 per cent moong at ₹10,000 per quintal MSP.

• Reduction of legislators', MPs' and ministers' salaries to 60 per cent if complete procurement is not ensured.

• Immediate action against fertiliser black marketing and transparent distribution.

• A judicial inquiry into the alleged fortified rice diversion.

• Enhanced compensation and land allocation for families displaced by the Ken-Betwa project.

The state government has not yet issued an official response to the party's latest demands.