The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Ryots told not to sell produce for 10 days

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Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Ryots told not to sell produce for 10 days

Special Correspondent

TDP plan for demonstration in Delhi

TDP chief to tour Prakasam district
Mango ryots worst-hit in Krishna district

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu has called upon farmers to put on hold sale of paddy and other 18 crops for ten days as the combined Opposition, including Left parties, would force the Centre to announce enhancement of Minimum Support Price in the Parliament.

Addressing a press conference, he said the United National Progressive Alliance members would bring the Parliament to standstill if the Government does not concede its demand.

This was apart from the demonstration it was staging in New Delhi on February 26 along with Left parties.

UPA remained isolated as even the BJP had supported the same demand. The Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) had not only heard UNPA leaders but was sympathetic to the farmers cause. That was why he was hopeful of Centre taking a decision.

He took strong exception to Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy rejecting the Centre’s proposal to waive overdue crop loans to farmers. There is no alternative to waiver of crop loans as credit burden is the main reason for their suicides, he said.

Ex-gratia

Referring to the large scale damage to crops in Prakasam, Guntur and other coastal districts from the recent untimely rain, Mr. Naidu demanded ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to each of the deceased, liberal compensation for crop loss, fresh loans and input subsidy of Rs.5000 per acre.

The TDP chief will be touring Prakasam district tomorrow.

He said going by the extensive damages, Prakasam and Guntur farmers could have lost crops worth Rs. 800 crores. In other districts it could be Rs. 200 crores. Paddy and tobacco got discoloured. Large extent of red gram crop got damaged and much of the crop was under water.

In Krishna district, mango farmers were the worst hit. The Government should immediately take steps to rescue farmers who are in dire straits, the TDP chief said.

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