We are being draggedinto row, allege farmers

‘Impact of new tax regime is only on trade’

A delegation representing tobacco growers’ associations on Thursday told the Tobacco Board Chairman that Goods and Services Tax (GST) has no impact on farmers and asked the traders to stop firing guns from the shoulders of the farmers.

Led by former MP and honorary president of the Virginia Tobacco Growers’ Association, Yelamanchili Sivaji, the delegation consisting of president of association Chunduri Ranga Rao, former president of AP Tobacco Growers’ Cooperative Society Chunchu Seshaiah, former board members, M. Bangaru Babu and Velaga Venkateswara Rao called on Tobacco Board Chairman T. Venkatesh.

‘Stocks piling up’

“The impact of GST is only on trade and the growers are not affected by the GST regime. It is unfortunate that the traders are inciting the growers to boycott the auctions. We condemn their action. If the traders have a problem, they should take it up with the government,’’ said Dr. Sivaji. Expressing concern that the only less than 50% of the produce has been auctioned so far, Dr. Sivaji said that the auctions might not be extended up to September. He said the Centre should come out with a comprehensive policy on tobacco so that the farmers could plan their production. He also suggested that the Calamities Relief Fund collected from Tobacco growers of Ongole-I, Ongole-II and some villages of Tangutur be refunded to the growers.