The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Paddy MSP issue rocks both Houses

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Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Paddy MSP issue rocks both Houses

Special Correspondent

Issue forces adjournment of the Council and abrupt conclusion of the Assembly

Naidu criticises State for recommending MSP of Rs. 660 for a quintal of paddy
‘MSP for wheat increases by 50 p.c. while paddy gets 22 p.c. increase’

HYDERABAD: Opposition parties sought to corner the Government in both the Houses of the Legislature on Tuesday on the demand for enhancing the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy, forcing adjournment of the Council without transacting any business and resulting in abrupt conclusion of the Assembly.

As soon as the Council met, Chairman A.Chakrapani announced that he was disallowing the adjournment notices tabled by TDP and others. Insisting that the House suspend the listed business and take up the issue of fixing MSP for paddy on par with wheat, TDP members stormed the podium forcing the Chair to initially adjourn for half-an-hour and later for the day.

Acrimonious scenes

In the Assembly, acrimonious exchanges were witnessed as Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, Transport Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana and Roads and Buildings Minister T. Jeevan Reddy took swipes at the leader of the Opposition N.Chandrababu Naidu. TDP members repeatedly rushed to the podium protesting against Mr. Lakshminarayana’s remarks and argued with Deputy Speaker, G.Kuthuhalamma.

Initiating the debate earlier, Mr. Naidu charged the Centre and the State Government with neglecting the welfare of farmers and criticised the State for recommending a MSP of Rs.660 for a quintal of paddy, which he claimed was taken as a pretext by the Centre in fixing Rs.695.

Centre faulted

Accusing the Centre of discriminating against paddy farmers, he said that during the past three years, the MSP for wheat was increased by 50 per cent while that of paddy went up by 22 per cent. He said the costs for inputs and labour were higher for paddy than wheat and faulted the Centre for unilaterally fixing the MSP.

Intervening, Dr. Reddy said the MSP for wheat and paddy was almost similar between 1982 and 1996. Reminding that P.V.Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister till 1996, he said the disparity started during 1997-98 and asked Mr.Naidu to present facts as facts without distorting them.

Observing that Mr.Naidu was trying hard to prove that he was “pro-farmer”, he said he welcomed the change in his mindset. The Government would seek the Opposition’s support wherever needed.

Mr. Naidu accused the Government of shedding crocodile tears for farmers and demanded that MSP for paddy be enhanced to Rs.1,000 a quintal. He also wanted the Government to implement the suggestion of the National Farmers’ Commission, headed by M. S. Swaminathan that the MSP be 50 per cent over and above the cost of production.

Agriculture Minister, N. Raghuveera Reddy, in a statement which was tabled in the House, admitted that the hike in MSP over the years had not been economical enough.

The State Government had requested the Centre for fixing higher MSPs, that is, 50 per cent over and above the production cost.

He said Dr. Reddy met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 2 and requested for enhancing the MSP for paddy to Rs.990 ( common) and Rs.1,088 (grade-A) and also for other major crops.

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