The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : MSP for paddy: CM to negotiate with Centre

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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

MSP for paddy: CM to negotiate with Centre

Staff Reporter

‘Arogyasri’ to be introduced in some more districts soon
YSR to recommend inclusion of Vadderas in Scheduled Caste

SAMALKOT (East Godavari): Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday assured that, together with the Congress MPs, he would negotiate with the Centre to fix minimum support price (MSP) of Rs. 1,000 for paddy, on a par with wheat.

Addressing a large gathering in the Junior College grounds here as part of his ‘Rajiv Palle Bata’ in the district, he said he would also secure MSP for cotton, maize and other pulses. He highlighted the fact that the Congress had increased MSP for paddy by Rs. 140 in three years whereas the erstwhile Telugu Desam Government had only hiked it by Rs. 70 in nine years of rule.

Dr. Reddy alleged that Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu only had the vote bank in view and was not genuinely concerned about people’s welfare. He recalled that it was the TDP that increased power tariff from Rs. 50 to Rs. 250 a hp for agricultural pumpsets and later to Rs. 450 and the price of subsidy rice from Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 5.25 a kg.

He said the Government would soon introduce ‘Arogyasri’ programme in Chittoor, Nalgonda, Rangareddy, East and West Godavari districts where rural poor could access corporate healthcare upto Rs. 2 lakh.

The Chief Minister said the existing 75 lakh members in DWCRA groups (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) would be scaled up to 1.20 crore by next year and the loans increased from Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 1,000 crore.

Congress Working Committee member and in-charge of A.P. affairs, Veerappa Moily in his address praised the Chief Minister for his welfare schemes.

Later, addressing a meeting of the North Andhra, Coastal region Vaddera Association in Rajahmundry, the Chief Minister said the State Government would recommend to the National Commission to include ‘Vaddera’ community in Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, according to norms.

Assurance given

Mr. Moily assured Vadderas of their inclusion in Scheduled Caste. Vaddera Association president Tanneru Dharma Raju was also present.

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