Which of the following are the objectives of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)? I. To stabilise agricultural prices. II. To ensure meaningful real income levels to the farmers. III. To protect the interest of the consumers by providing essential agricultural commodities at reasonable rates through public distribution system. IV. To ensure maximum price for the farmer. Select the correct answer from the codes given below: Codes:

The correct answer is A because the primary objectives of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices focus on balancing the interests of both producers and consumers. Statement I is correct as the CACP aims to stabilize prices to prevent high fluctuations in the market. Statement II is correct because a major goal of recommending Minimum Support Prices is to ensure that farmers receive remunerative prices that translate into meaningful real income. Statement III is correct because the CACP must ensure that while farmers get paid fairly, essential commodities remain affordable for consumers, especially those relying on the Public Distribution System. Statement IV is incorrect because the CACP does not seek to ensure the maximum price for farmers. Instead, it seeks a balanced or fair price. Aiming for the maximum price would lead to high inflation and make food unaffordable for the general population, which contradicts the commission objective of price stability and consumer protection.