evidence: Data shows in the last 10 years, MSP growth rate for almost all crops, both kharif and rabi, have declined on an average. In the latest announcement, MSP growth rates for wheat and paddy are the lowest in the last decade, at 2.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively. [...] According to the decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Monday, MSP for wheat was increased by only Rs 50 or 2.6 per cent to Rs 1,975 per quintal. This is the lowest hike since 2011, when the government increased MSP by only Rs 20 or 1.8 per cent per quintal (100 kg) from the previous year. [...] However, more often than not, MSP is used as a silver bullet to pacify distressed farmers. For example, paddy witnessed the highest MSP growth in 2013 under the UPA government when it was increased by 16 per cent or Rs 170 to Rs 1,250 per quintal. Under the NDA, the maximum hike in MSP (13 per cent) was in 2019. Both were just before elections.