Welcome, but not enough: Farmers’ body on IAS monitoring of paddy procurement

The Federation of Independent Farmers’ Organizations today expressed its happiness over Chief Minister N. Kiran Kuma Reddy conceding its plea for deputing senior IAS officials to monitor paddy procurement in districts.

A delegation of the federation, led by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, called on the Chief Minister on May 10 and requested him to ensure rabi paddy procurement at the minimum support price (MSP). The delegation told the Chief Minister that farmers were denied the MSP all over the State.

In a media statement, federation convener P. Bhaskara Rao hoped the Government would make available sufficient funds and gunny bags to purchase centers and facilitate procurement. He wanted the Government to constitute farmers’ committees to monitor purchases and publicize details of procurement operations daily.

The federation had warned of direct action after May 22 if the Government failed to ensure paddy purchases at the MSP.

Mr. Bhaskara Rao reiterated the federation request to the Chief Minister to lead a delegation of MPs from the State for persuading the Union Government to permit export of surplus rice. State undertakings can export rice and share the profits with farmers by way of bonus, he said.

Mr. Bhaskara Rao said that Dr. JP would be taking part in farmers’ conferences in East and West Godavari districts on May 12 and 13 with a view to uniting them to fight for their cause. He will be taking part in farmers’ conferences at Mummidivaram, Ambajipet, Kothapet and Mandapet in East Godavari, and at Undrajavaram, Duvva, Pothunuru and Pedapadu in West Godavari.