Andhra Pradesh - Guntur   

“Consider chilli traders’ losses too”

GUNTUR: Expressing displeasure over the compensation package given to chilli farmers, the Telugu Desam Party has demanded that the government consider the losses incurred by traders too and announce a comprehensive package immediately.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday evening, party district unit president Prathipati Pulla Rao said that out of 2.65 lakh tikkies destroyed in fire, 51 lakhs belonging to the traders were not included in the package.

In a memorandum submitted to district Collector B. Venkatesham, party leaders urged him to ensure direct payment to the affected farmers. Even the final list had so many discrepancies, he alleged.

In his reply, the Collector had assured them that the lists of all the farmers would be published mandal-wise in a couple of days and the process of payment would begin shortly.

Mr. Pulla Rao also found fault with the uniform package announced and demanded that the quality and graded chilli should be offered a minimum of Rs.4,500 per quintal as against the uniform rate of Rs.3,000 per quintal.

Former minister J.R. Pushparaj demanded immediate action against Agricultural Market Committee Chairman Lella Appi Reddy for charging towards former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has Z+ category security, and said that the action amounted to a serious breach of security.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs Nabur Subhani, Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao and MLC Rayapati Srinivas along with former APIIC Chairman Ambati Rambabu expressed their happiness at the package and said that it was pro-farmer. All the farmers would be compensated to the last paise and appealed to all farmers, who had any doubt, to contact the government either through the Collector or Congress elected representatives so that their voice could be heard there.

The traders had the responsibility to protect the produce of the farmers and 1.57 lakh tikkies of the traders would also be compensated by the insurance agencies, for which the government was ready to help them coordinate with the agencies. They criticised Mr. Naidu for making some derogatory remarks against the Market Yard Chairman and it only lowered the dignity of the former Chief Minister.

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