Just watched P. Sainath on NDTV.

He proposes a simple solutions, pass a bill with promises made by the PM in his various statements.

- implement Swaminathan Comm MSP
- guarantee procurement at MSP
- make it illegal for any trader to purchase crop below MSP.

Simple, right.

Also, made the analogy of food procurement at MSP, from Mandis, being a public service such as public schools, hospitals, colleges, universities etc.

This makes sense. Mandis provide basic services - they can also be compared to public utility services : water, electricity, etc

Third, the importance of food procurement by the government should also be seen in light of government responsibility for food distribution.

Currently, ration card holders get a paltry amount of, primarily, grains.

Considering where India stands in the global hunger index there is urgent need for the government to distribute more and better quality foods.

In fact govt should be procuring (at MSP) fruit and vegetables for distribution. Mechanisms are needed.

https://www.globalhungerindex.org/india.html 

Finally - there’s a question for anyone shouting ‘market, market!’ : where do you stand on other government services.

If you’ve availed subsidised govt services (including higher education) you first need to reimburse the exchequer, before complaining about others.