New Delhi. The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, announcing the decision, said that the MSP covers crops such as paddy, ragi, millet, jowar, maize and cotton. Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Modi’s third term and focus on the welfare of farmers through continuous transformative decisions. He said, “As the Kharif season begins, the Cabinet has given priority to farmers by approving MSP for 14 crops.” The MSP is mandated to be at least 1.5 times the cost of production. The new MSP for paddy has been fixed at ₹ 2,300, which is ₹ 117 more than last year. In 2013-14, the price was ₹ 1,310.
Details of MSP for different crops
Cotton: ₹7,121 (increase by ₹501 from ₹3,700 in 2013-14)
Ragi: ₹4,290
Maize: ₹2,225
Moong: ₹8,682
Arhar: ₹7,550
Urad: ₹7,400
Groundnut oil: ₹6,783
Ashwini Vaishnav also informed that construction of two lakh warehouses is going on across the country. The base of the economy was established in the first two terms and now the focus is on development with special emphasis on farmers.
infrastructure decisions
The minister announced a significant decision for the port and shipping sector, specifically approving a Rs 76,200 crore project for the Wadhawan port in Palghar. This port alone will match the combined capacity of all the ports in the country. With a natural draft of 20 metres, this port will be among the top 10 ports in the world. It is expected to generate 1.2 million jobs and will be located 150 kilometres from Mumbai.
Extensive consultations were carried out with stakeholders for the design of this port to ensure benefits for local communities. This port will be an integral part of the India-Middle East corridor. This project, started 60 years ago, has been accelerated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. It will include nine container terminals, a mega container port, a dedicated berth for the Coast Guard and a separate berth for fuel. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2029.
Focus on energy security too
India’s first offshore wind power projects have been approved. The initial projects include a 500 MW project in Gujarat and another 500 MW project in Tamil Nadu, with a combined cost of ₹7,453 crore. Gujarat will get power at ₹4.5 per unit, while Tamil Nadu will get it at ₹4 per unit. The projects will involve laying cables under the sea, with landing arrangements at two ports.
Expansion of Kashi Airport
Vaishnaw also announced the expansion of Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport. The airport, which has reached full capacity, will see the construction of a new terminal and an extended runway. The ₹2,870 crore project aims to showcase India’s culture and will be developed as a green airport.