Congress workers in Madhya Pradesh protested delays in wheat procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP), accusing the government of forcing farmers to sell to middlemen at lower prices. The protest led by Youth Congress members and local leaders caused a major traffic disruption by blocking a National Highway in Shujalpur, Shajapur district. The blockade halted all non-emergency vehicle movement for hours.
Police intervened at the protest site, dispersing the demonstrators using water cannons with the help of the fire brigade. Over two dozen Congress workers, including local MLAs, were detained and taken to a nearby police station. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari criticized the state government for failing to request an adequate number of gunny bags for wheat packing from the Centre.
Patwari highlighted the government’s negligence in submitting timely requisitions for gunny bags, leading to a severe shortage. The wheat procurement at the MSP, initially set to start on April 1, has been rescheduled in various divisions due to delays. The state government announced a procurement rate of Rs 2,625 per quintal, including a bonus of Rs 40 per quintal for farmers.
