The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Farmers confront top official

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Thursday, Jun 09, 2011
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Farmers confront top official

Staff Reporter

TENALI: Scores of farmers vent their anger at Principal Secretary (Agriculture) C.V.S.K. Sarma at the Rythu Sadassu held here on Wednesday for alleged inaction on the part of the State government in solving problems arising out of lack of MSP for and non–procurement of paddy. They expressed regret that the assurances given by the district administration were evidently confined to rhetoric and the officials continued to make tall claims. Mr. Sarma was taken aback as the angry farmers objected to the conduct of the sadassu saying it was a publicity stunt aimed at glossing over the stark facts.

The progress on the procurement front is negligible. Massive quantities of foodgrains are yet to be lifted by the government agencies. The slow pace of the Krishna Western Delta modernisation works is bound to hit the farmers hard, but the government has a different set of priorities.

Tension prevailed for some time as the slogan–shouting farmers rushed towards Mr. Sarma to grill him over their plight, but the police prevented them from surging ahead. What all Mr. Sarma could say was that he would take farmers' grievances to the government's notice.

District Collector V.N. Vishnu said arrangements were made for disbursing Rs. 61.76 crore as input subsidy to farmers of 18 mandals in the Tenali division.Ponnur MLA Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar said that the government should give top priority to farmers' issues as they were in deep distress.

Earlier, Mr. Sarma released the Kharif Action Plan .

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