JNS I New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at bolstering agricultural support, the government has approved an increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops for the marketing season of 2024-25. This decision, announced alongside initiatives for infrastructure development, underscores the administration’s commitment to enhancing rural welfare and economic growth.
Addressing the media in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting, where several pivotal decisions were ratified. He emphasized the government’s proactive stance on agricultural reforms and infrastructure development.
According to Vaishnaw, the Cabinet’s decision on MSP entails substantial raises for crops such as Paddy, Cotton, Millets, Pulses, and Oilseeds, aiming to benefit farmers across the country. “The increase in MSP reflects our commitment to ensuring farmers receive remunerative prices for their produce,” he stated.
Vaishnaw also outlined other key initiatives approved by the Cabinet, including the development of the Vadhavan port in Maharashtra, a flagship project with an estimated investment exceeding Rs 76,000 crore. “This all-weather greenfield port, to be developed in two phases, is set to become one of the top 10 ports globally with a capacity of 23 million TEU,” he noted, highlighting its potential to generate approximately 12 lakh job opportunities.
In a strategic move towards renewable energy expansion, the government has greenlit the establishment of the first offshore wind terminals in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, each with a capacity of 500 megawatts. These terminals are poised to significantly augment the country’s renewable energy capacity.
Further enhancing national infrastructure, the Cabinet approved the development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi at a cost of Rs 2,869 crore. Vaishnaw emphasized that the airport would be developed as a green airport, prioritizing environmental sustainability.
Additionally, the Cabinet’s nod on the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering forensic capabilities nationwide. The scheme includes plans to establish off-campus units of the National Forensic Science University and Central Forensic Science Laboratories across the country.
“These decisions reflect the government’s comprehensive approach towards fostering inclusive growth, enhancing agricultural productivity, and modernizing critical infrastructure,” Vaishnaw concluded, signaling a proactive agenda aimed at propelling India towards sustainable development and economic resilience.
