Congress targets Modi govt, says cost plus 50% as MSP to farmers a 'jumla'

The Congress on Monday termed the Narendra Modi government's claim of ensuring MSP at "50 per cent more than the actual cost of production" to farmers another "jumla" and accused Finance Minister Arun Jaitley "blatantly" lying in his budget speech.

"In the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP had made a promise to India's farmers of giving 'Cost + 50 per cent' as MSP.

"Shockingly, it filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that farmers can never be given the same for it will lead to market distortion," said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

He said Jaitley "blatantly lied" in his budget speech 2018-19, claiming the government has already given 'Cost+50 per cent' as MSP to farmers and will continue to do so, saying the the report of 'Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices' 2018-19 (Rabi Marketing Season), which forms the basis for determination of MSP of wheat, gram etc makes it clear that the government has not given 'Cost + 50 per cent' as MSP in any crop.

Donald Trump lauds India's economic reforms, PM Modi at APEC Summit

US President Donald Trump today praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened its economy and also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.

Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit here in Vietnam, Trump said that countries outside of the grouping were also making "great strides in this new chapter for the Indo-Pacific".

He pointed out that India was celebrating the 70th anniversary of its independence and highlighted that the country was a sovereign democracy with a population of 1.3 billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.

"Since India opened its economy, it has achieved astounding growth and a new world of opportunities for its expanding middle class," Trump said.

"And Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has been working to bring that vast country and all of its people as one. And he has been working at it very successfully indeed," the US President said.
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Research governance issues to develop national vision: Modi to IAS trainees

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with IAS officer trainees at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) and asked them to study and research governance issues in depth.

Modi, who is at LBSNAA on a two-day visit, interacted with over 360 officer trainees of the 92nd Foundation Course.

According to an official release, he had "a lively informal interaction" with the officer trainees in four groups.

During the wide-ranging interaction, which lasted nearly four hours, the Prime Minister urged them to express their ideas and thoughts to him frankly and without fear.

"A variety of subjects such as administration, governance, technology and policy-making came up for discussion. The Prime Minister encouraged the officer trainees to study and research governance issues in depth, so that they could understand them well," the release said.

Modi also stressed on the need for them to develop a national vision. The discussions were marked by a large degree of experience-sharing.

The Prime Minister also interacted with faculty members of the Academy, who gave him an overview of the work being done there to train India's civil servants.

He also visited Gandhi Smriti Library at LBSNAA and attended a short cultural programme by the Officer Trainees.

Earlier, on arrival at the academy, the Prime Minister offered floral tributes on the statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha, and LBSNAA Director Upma Chawdhry were present during the interactions.
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