The government has approved up to 20 per cent hike in the minimum support price, MSP, for five rabi crops for 2013-14. An official release said that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in its meeting approved the MSP for rabi crops to be marketed in 2013-14 as recommended by the Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices except in case of wheat for which there would be further consultation.
The MSP of gram has been hiked to 3,000 rupees per quintal for 2013-14 from 2,800 rupees this year, while the support price of masur has been raised by 100 rupees per quintal to 2,900 rupees. Among oilseeds, the MSP of mustard seed has been raised to 3,000 rupees per quintal from 2,500 rupees in 2012-13 and safflower MSP from 2,500 rupees to 2,800 rupees in the review period.
The Cabinet has approved amendments to two important labour legislations. The amendments aim at improving employment, working conditions and welfare of construction workers.