Jharkhand Govt Offers Rs 10 per quintal Bonus on MSP to ‘Drought-Hit’ Paddy Growers

The Jharkhand government decided on Thursday to give drought-stricken farmers an additional Rs 10 per quintal of paddy over the crop's minimum support price (MSP) in 2022-23. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

For the fiscal year 2022-23, the Centre has set the MSP at Rs 2,040 per quintal for general paddy variety and Rs 2,060 for A-grade paddy purchased at government centres.

"With the state's decision to provide an additional Rs 10, a drought-hit farmer will receive Rs 2,050 for selling a quintal of general variety paddy and Rs 2,070 for A-grade," Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel said. She stated that the state government has aimed to purchase 8 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from farmers this season.

"A farmer can sell no more than 200 quintals of paddy," the official explained. "This is one of the lowest bonus amounts until now," BJP state president Deepak Prakash said, criticizing the JMM-led government. "The government made a joke when farmers needed government assistance due to the drought. Even beggars no longer accept Rs 10 as alms."

"The state food corporation (SFC) is looking after the paddy procurement process and will also provide the bonus amount to farmers this year," said Rameshwar Oraon, who is also the minister for food, public distribution, and consumer affairs. The SFC is not financially strong so it will provide the bonus amount to farmers through bank loans."

According to an agriculture department official, the bonus amount over MSP in 2021-22 was Rs 110 and Rs 182 in 2020-21. The cabinet approved 37 proposals, including the approval of Rs 136.17 crore for land reclamation at Ranchi's Jhiri dump yard. According to the official, approximately 31 acres of land will be made waste-free.