Andhra Pradesh - Guntur   

Chilli procurement begins amid farmers' protests

By Our Staff Reporter

GUNTUR, APRIL 11. The Markfed Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)-2005 for chilli began here Guntur amid protests by farmers on Monday demanding higher price and liberal acceptance of `fair average quality (FAQ).'

Traffic on the Guntur-Hyderabad State Highway came to a standstill for over an hour when the first lot of four bags was rejected by the quality testing team of the Markfed on three grounds - excess moisture, discolouration, and more than 4 per cent stems and other objects.

The Revenue Divisional Officer, Venkateswar Rao, and officials intervened and sorted out the problem with farmers and operations began at noon. Some other minor problems like the absentee farmer were also resolved by allowing acceptance of stocks after physical verification.

Ryots question pricing

Farmers condemned the Government's delay in beginning MIS-05. The Union Minister for Agriculture, Sharad Pawar's statement in the media that 5,000 tonnes of superfine quality would be purchased at Rs.2,700 per quintal and the FAQ quality at Rs.2,500 with 50:50 loss sharing by the State Government and the Centre made farmers question the fixation of price at Rs.2,300.

The TDP, the CPI(M) and farmers' associations demanded immediate announcement of increase in procurement price from Rs.2,300 as suggested by the Centre.

The Markfed had asked 400 farmers from Bollapalli and Chilakaluripet mandals to bring their stocks. The Farmers also demanded increase in number of procurement centres to cater to needs of more farmers within the stipulated period of May 31.

Trading suspended

Meanwhile, trading at the agriculture market yard remained suspended on Monday following a flash strike announced by hamalis demanding increase in their charges per bag. There were 1.12 lakh bags in the yard. The Commission Agents and Exporters' Association held a meeting on Monday and decided not to stop purchases and pay Rs.7.50 per tikki (more than 55 kg per tikki) and Rs.3.25 for those below that.

The district administration gave a stern warning to hamalis to either being operations immediately or face permanent ouster. The revision of their charges was due in February 2006 as it was done once every two years.

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