The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Waive crop loans: Yerran

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Friday, Mar 28, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Waive crop loans: Yerran

Staff Reporter

Favours fresh loans to farmers in rain-hit areas

Says the issue will be raised in Parliament
Visits some affected villages in district

CHINTAPALLIPADU (GUNTUR District): Telugu Desam Party polit bureau member and MP K. Yerrannaidu has asked the State government to unconditionally waive off all crop loans availed of by farmers in the 12 rain-affected districts in the State.

The government should also provide fresh crop loans to rain-affected farmers, he told reporters after visiting some of the villages in the district on Thursday.

“The TDP will raise the issue of loan waiver in the forthcoming Lok Sabha session, which will commence from April 15. The Centre’s ambitious loan waiver scheme benefited farmers who had outstanding dues and did not address the concerns of small and marginal farmers,” he said. The MP also demanded that the State government procure graded and quality chilli at the rate of Rs.5,000 per quintal. Efforts should also be made to convince Markfed to buy discoloured chilli. Similarly, FCI and Nafed should be convinced to buy other damaged standing crops, he said. Mr. Naidu came down heavily on the government for issuing advertisements thanking the rain god when the farmers had been dealt a crushing blow by the rains. He also lambasted the Ministers and MLAs for avoiding the rain-affected areas in their constituencies and instead taking pleasure in attending dinner parties in Hyderabad.

Earlier, farmers poured out their woes before the visiting TDP leaders.

“I have invested Rs.60,000 per acre. The harvest too was good but the untimely rain has dashed our hopes. More than 80 per cent of chilli being dried has been destroyed,” said Mannam Koteswara Rao, a farmer from Pulledigunta village.

Telefilm

Later, Mr. Naidu inaugurated a telefilm – Ma Pedanaya – based on the life and times of the former MP, Yadlapati Venkat Rao, at Tenali. Former ministers K. Sivaprasada Rao, A. Rajendra Prasad, M. Pedarathaih, district president Prathipati Pulla Rao and general secretary Ghouse Mohiuddin were present.

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