NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday decided to increase the minimum support price for paddy and other kharif crops for the 2005-06 season as recommended by the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices.

The MSP for paddy has been increased by Rs. 10 a quintal for both common and grade A varieties. The MSP for the common variety goes up from Rs. 560 to Rs. 570 a quintal, and that for grade A from Rs. 590 to Rs. 600 a quintal.

The MSP for Arahar (tur) dal goes up from Rs. 1,390 to Rs. 1,400 a quintal, that for Moong and Urad from Rs. 1,410 to Rs. 1,520 a quintal, that for groundnut-in-shell from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,520 a quintal, soyabean yellow from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,010 a quintal, sunflower seeds from Rs. 1,340 to Rs. 1,500 a quintal, sesamum from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,550 a quintal and Nigerseed from Rs. 1,180 to Rs. 1,200 a quintal.

The MSP for jowar, ragi and Bajra would also go up from Rs. 515 to Rs. 525, and that for Maize from Rs. 525 to Rs. 540.

The MSP for cotton H-4 variety would go up from Rs. 1,960 to Rs. 1,980 a quintal, while that of other varieties of cotton would remain at Rs. 1,760 a quintal. Likewise, the MSP for soyabean black would remain at Rs. 900 a quintal.

The CCEA also cleared a scheme for studies on inputs for agricultural economic policy and development during the tenth plan period with an outlay of Rs. 110.89 crores.

It would have four components — study of the cost of cultivation of principal crops, agro-economic research centres, planning and management of agriculture, including a one-time study on the strategy on long term mechanism for each agro-climatic zone/State and strengthening of agricultural statistics and policy formulation.

In addition, the CCEA approved a Railway Ministry proposal for prioritisation of its projects.

The projects would be classified into four categories in the order of their importance. Further, it gave ex-post facto approval for ratification of the two agreements entered into with Russia in space exploration.

One agreement is for cooperation in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and the second is for development, operation and utilisation of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System for peaceful use.

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