The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : MSP issue: State farmers’ bodies to ‘storm’ Delhi

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Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

MSP issue: State farmers’ bodies to ‘storm’ Delhi

Government told to prove its commitment to ryots’ cause

— PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Show of solidarity: A delegation of farmers bodies after presenting a memorandum to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at the Secretariat in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: The farmers’ wings of the Opposition parties have threatened to intensify their agitation by organising a ‘Chalo Delhi’ rally if the Centre fails to concede the demand for enhancing minimum support price (MSP) of paddy and other crops.

The representatives of farmers’ associations, who called on Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Sunday, asked him to lead a delegation of the Joint Action Committee of All-Party Farmers’ Organisations to New Delhi within a week to mount pressure on the Centre.

The Chief Minister, according to them, responded positively and assured to take immediate steps in the matter.

Speaking to reporters later, Telugu Rythu president C. Mutyam Reddy, TRS farmers’ wing president V. Surender Reddy, A.P. Rythu Sangham president K. Ramakrishna wanted the Government to prove its commitment to the farmers’ cause by securing hike in MSP of paddy, sugarcane, groundnut and other crops. Though the Centre has announced a bonus of Rs. 100 for a quintal of paddy, the amount is not reaching farmers, they said.

Assembly resolution

Recalling the resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly seeking MSP of Rs. 1,000 for paddy, Rs. 350 for cotton, Rs. 2,720 for groundnut (Rs. 2,720) and other crops, they said the demand is necessitated in view of the increased cost of cultivation.

Dr. Reddy, according to them, responded positively and assured immediate action on the demand.

He admitted that cotton farmers are not getting remunerative prices and that he would impress upon the Cotton Corporation of India to provide advisory prices, on the lines of other States, while procuring cotton in Andhra Pradesh.

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