Chennai: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister MRK Panneerselvam reaffirmed in the Assembly that the sugarcane price would be increased to Rs 4,000 per tonne, fulfilling the DMK’s poll promise, reported The New Indian Express.
The minister’s statement came in response to AIADMK legislator C Vijaya Baskar, who criticized the government for not implementing its pledged MSP of Rs 2,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,000 per tonne for sugarcane. Defending the government’s efforts, Panneerselvam said, “As far as sugarcane is concerned, we will reach the target we have set. Compared to the previous government, we are offering nearly Rs 400 more per metric tonne, with the current price at approximately Rs 3,500. We firmly assure you that in the coming year, we will increase it to Rs 4,000 per metric tonne.”
He highlighted that Chief Minister MK Stalin had already raised the MSP for both paddy and sugarcane, reflecting the government’s commitment to farmers despite financial constraints.
Contrasting the AIADMK regime, Panneerselvam pointed out that farmers previously faced payment delays. “Unlike in the past, this government ensures that sugarcane farmers receive their payments promptly,” he stated.
