1 Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009 SSS-AKG/11.00/1A ...

188Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009decided keeping in view the input costs. Sir, in 2007-08, when the hon.Minister raised the MSP of wheat from Rs.750 to Rs.1000, we saw aquantum jump in production of food grains from 69 million tonnes to 76million tonnes.(Contd. 3p-kgg)kgg-lt/5.15/3pSHRI NARESH GUJRAL (contd.): Sir, we need to give our farmers highyieldingseeds, better quality fertilizers and pesticides at reasonableprices. We need to provide them with a market at their doorsteps andwe need to give them credit at low rates of interest so that he does notend up in the clutches of money-lending sharks.Sir, I am pained to point out that when our State Governmentgives free electricity to the farmer in Punjab, we are told that we arepopulist. When the Shiromani Akali Dal Government gives subsidized attaand dal to 16 lakh poor families in Punjab, whose monthly income is lessthan Rs. 3,000, we are branded as irresponsible.Sir, it is the responsibility of the Central Government to ensure thatall BPL families ---and their present definition is seriously flawed---aregiven essential commodities at affordable prices, as only then will Indiahave inclusive growth.Sir, I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that whileprices are shooting up, we are doing precious little to prevent damageto the stocks of our foodgrains and crops. I come from an agriculturalState which provides almost two-thirds of wheat and one-third of rice tothe nation. Yet, I am sad to point out that after sixty-three years ofIndependence, we have not built adequate modern storage facilities to