The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : 32.5 lakh tonnes of fertilizer for State

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Saturday, Jun 21, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

32.5 lakh tonnes of fertilizer for State

Special Correspondent

Supply 5.06 lakh tonnes more than last year

HYDERABAD: The Centre has “agreed” to ensure supply of 32.5 lakh tonnes of fertilizer to Andhra Pradesh to meet the kharif requirement of farmers in full. This is 5.06 lakh tonnes more than last year’s 27.44 lakh tonnes.

Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy told a press conference here on Friday that DAP and complex fertilizers were kept at the distribution points in districts in sufficient quantities. More stocks would reach the points in ten days. Over 13.27 lakh quintals of seeds covering all crops, including paddy, were made available at the sale points.

He appealed to farmers to desist from agitations in the light of arrangements made to supply the inputs and not to fall prey to designs of political parties “ which were out to exploit them”.

The minister advised political parties not to ”incite” farmers for their “selfish ends” and not to “mediate” on their behalf. He said “the government has direct contact with the farming community. There is no need of brokers in between”.

At the same time, he warned traders that stringent action would be taken, including preventive detention, if they indulged in hoarding or blackmarketing of agriculture inputs. Some traders were arrested in Kadapa, Mahabubnagar and Vizianagaram districts for indulging in ‘illegal’ activities. Their stocks were seized, licences cancelled and cases booked.

He said steps were taken to ensure surprise checks on fertilizer/seeds shops by Agriculture and Revenue officials to verify stocks in line with claims made in the registers.

Mr. Reddy announced filling of 400 vacant posts of agriculture officers and 500 posts of agriculture extension officers. The posts would be notified in a week and filled in a month.

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