Lok Satta to mobilize farmers

The Lok Satta Party is launching a campaign in 100 mandals from November 1 to mobilize farmers on demands like a reasonable price for khariff paddy, provision of basic amenities at purchase centers and an assistance package for drought-hit areas.

A party sub-committee dealing with rural activities decided on the action program at a meeting held at the party headquarters here today. The mandals chosen for the action program are around municipalities where the party is engaged in strengthening its organization.

Giving this information in a media statement, Lok Satta Party Vice President and sub-committee Convener Y. D. Rama Rao said that the Government seems to be bent on taking farmers for a ride once again by announcing plans to buy kharif paddy without taking care of storage space and providing amenities at purchase centers. He pointed out that the minimum support price for paddy is not at all remunerative considering the steep increase in the cost of production and a fall in production because of adverse weather. Farmers should get a bonus of at least Rs.200 a bag either from the Union or the State Government.

A long-term solution to ensuring a fair and remunerative price to farmers lies in permitting rice exports on time, he added.

Mr. Rama Rao demanded that the Government declare the mandals hit by drought and announce an assistance package without further delay.

He said the party would form Mahila Satta, Yuva Satta and Sarva Jana Satta units in rural areas by December.

Mrs. S. Manorama, Eeda Chennayya, K. Gita Murthy and K. Anjaneyulu took part in the sub-committee meeting.