Date:01/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/01/stories/2002100103640100.htm

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Relief for farmers

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 30. The Centre tonight announced a drought relief for Kharif crops and oilseeds ranging between Rs. 5 and Rs. 20 a quintal to be given over and above the minimum support price (MSP) declared last Thursday. The Union Agriculture Minister, Ajit Singh, announced the decision.

While the MSP remains the same, the Centre has decided to give Rs. 20 as relief for paddy and Rs. 10 for sunflower and Rs. 5 for urad and ragi for a quintal each.

The decision was taken by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, after a delegation of leaders from BJP allies such as the Telugu Desam, the Indian National Lok Dal and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) called on him this evening.