In April 2014, when PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he backed a C2+50% (Swaminathan formula) concerning Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee to farmers. Yet, after achieving the PM’s chair, he changed his position and has opposed MSP for 10 years now. In fact, attempts to undermine the MSP regime through the three black farm laws were made.
Scenario watchers point out that the Modi government is projecting that a guaranteed MSP would cost about Rs 17 lakh crore.[i] However, the actual cost of an MSP program backed by the government payout may not be more than Rs 50,000 crore. It could be in the form of a targeted scheme or a price stabilization fund, according to some industry watchers.[ii]
When the three black farm laws were unveiled under the cover of the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers were in chaos. The Modi propaganda machine spared no effort to cast aspersions on the genuine concerns of the farmers.
In fact, in 2011, Modi, as Gujarat CM and chairman of a working group, submitted a report to the then PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, which said: “In order to protect the interest of the farmers, we must ensure through legal provisions that no transaction between farmer and trader should be done below MSP.”[iii]
Modi’s many speeches during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign contained promises that all crops would be purchased at MSP, which would cover all costs and 50% margin as per the Swaminathan Committee formula. 
What has happened after that in these past 10 long years, Mr. Modi? Why these flipflops and injustice to India’s farmers?
When the farmers’ protests were called off in 2021, PM Modi reassured them that their demands would be met. However, over time, the Modi government’s discussions with farmers’ organisations became sluggish and the BJP appointed a biased committee to deliberate on the MSP question, from which one independent member had quickly resigned. After this betrayal, farmers’ organisations were forced to take the streets once again to make their voices heard.
Instead of listening to them, the Modi sarkar lathi-charged and tear-gassed them. The indifference is jarring. For e.g., last year, Haryana’s farmers suffered due to unseasonal rains and storms that caused widespread crop damage. Was there any relief provided by the Modi government?
However, the Congress party’s 2024 manifesto (Nyay Patra) promises a legal guarantee for MSP, basis the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. The manifesto also includes farm loan waivers and the payment of crop insurance within 30 days. These steps are necessary because Modi’s quest for corporatization cannot be allowed to overshadow the interests of those who feed our nation.
References:
[i] https://thewire.in/economy/on-msp-modi-government-must-display-maturity-and-give-farmers-their-due
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/why-modi-government-running-away-from-giving-legal-guarantee-of-msp-congress/articleshow/107687083.cms?from=mdr