Farmers to defy ban on paddy Sale outside State

In an ultimatum to the Andhra Pradesh Government, the Federation of Independent Farmers' Association (FIFA) has warned that if restrictions on rice and paddy movement outside Andhra Pradesh are not lifted before February 17, farmers and tenants will defy the ban orders from February 18.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, President of FIFA and the Lok Satta Party, announced the decision to defy the ban after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister on February 2. Farmers and tenants will march from Yemmiganur to Mantralayam in Kurnool district, cross the border into Karnataka and effect sale of rice/paddy.

A 75-kg bag of fine variety of paddy today fetches the farmer only Rs.750 to Rs.800 in Andhra Pradesh as against Rs.900 to Rs.950 in Karnataka. The same variety of paddy earned the farmer Rs.1100 two years ago.

In its representation, FIFA told the Chief Minister that farmers and tenants are losing heavily because of the restrictions on movement of paddy and rice on the one hand, and the spiraling costs of production on the other.

Addressing media, Dr. JP said that the State Government ban on movement especially of fine rice and paddy contravenes Government of India directives.

Dr. JP said that FIFA is spearheading the farmer's satyagraha to protest against the policies ruining farmers' lives. "We will not be deterred by threats of arrests or detentions, since defiance of illegal restrictions is our moral responsibility," declared Dr. JP.

FIFA leaders Y. Nagendranath, Sankara Reddy, Dasaradharamai Reddy, and Hanumanta Reddy, and Lok Satta Working President D. V. V. S. Varma took part in the media meet.