Lok Satta demands Paddy Purchase Centres Atleast Two Per Mandal

-Welcomes Steps to Export Boiled Rice-

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that paddy purchase centers be opened on a large scale to drive away despair among farmers. In a statement Party Working President DVVS Varma wanted the government to open atleast two centers per mandal and purchase paddy at minimum support price.

Mr. Varma welcomed union minister Jaipal Reddy’s statement that government of India would take a positive decision on export of boiled rice in a couple of days. He recalled that the Lok Satta and the Farmers’ Federations laid importance on boiled rice export as rain-damaged paddy is suitable for conversion into boiled rice, which is not consumed within the state has a good market abroad.

Mr. Varma said that the government should permit atleast 30 lakh tons considering that the state already has stocks of 20 lakh tons of boiled rice.

Goingby past experience, the exchequer will not suffer any loss in the process. He hoped that the government of India would take a without further delay.