India’s exit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was welcomed by the YSR Congress Party here on Tuesday.
Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Commission vice-chairman M.V.S. Nagireddy while addressing the media at the party central office at Tadepalli said that India would be obliged to import agricultural produce from member countries affecting the prospects of the Indian farmers who were struggling to get remunerative prices for their produce.
While agriculture was a State subject, the Centre had full control over Minimum Support Price (MSP), agriculture loans, import and export prices of all agricultural products.
Citing subabul as an example, Mr. Nagireddy said that farmers in the State were affected because of related imports. Groundnut was the largest cultivated crop in the State after paddy, but it was the Centre that fixed the prices of oil seeds.
‘State subject’
Mr. Nagi Reddy said that agriculture was a State subject, while agriculture-related policies fall under the Centre’s jurisdiction and welcomed India’s exit from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Mr. Nagi Reddy said the RCEP was formed in 2012 in which our country was a member of all the major countries. The members met around 30 times so far and the final meeting was held on Monday. India exited from the trade forum without entering into an agreement taking the stand that indigenous farmers would face a crisis due to imports.
Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the decision, Mr. Nagi Reddy said that the Indian agriculture sector would face a severe crisis if the country allowed imports of processed foods, pulses and other agricultural products from countries like China.
The aim of the free trade agreement was that there would be no taxes on any exports or imports between the member countries. Hence it was right on the part the Centre to step out of the agreement, he said and added that the Centre should take cognizance of the views of the States when such major decisions were taken regarding agriculture and trade.
