FIFA to defy Government orders and Sell paddy in Maharashtra

The Federation of Independent Farmers' Associations (FIFA) will once again be defying Andhra Pradesh Government restrictions on movement of fine varieties of paddy and rice outside the State by undertaking sales in Maharashtra on February 26.

It may be recalled that FIFA had defied the curbs and undertook sales in Karnataka on February 19.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, President of FIFA and the Lok Satta Party, will lead the satyagraha movement from Pocharam village in Nizamabad district to Esgi in Nanded district of Maharashtra on February 25.

Giving this information at a media conference, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said that the Andhra Pradesh Government would neither ensure the minimum support price for paddy, leave alone a fair and remunerative price, nor allow farmers to sell their produce outside the State where prices are ruling higher by about Rs.200 a bag. As a result of the State Government's ruinous policy, farmers have lost hundreds of crores of rupees in the last couple of years.

Mr. Varma pointed out that the State Government restrictions run contrary to Government of India directives.

Although FIFA had openly and publicly defied its orders, the somnolent State Government would neither lift restrictions nor arrest its violators, charged Mr. Varma.

Mr. Varma appealed to farmers to take part in the satyagraha movement cutting across party lines and added that the Shetkari Sanghatan of Maharashtra will participate it.

The farmers will set off from Pocharam village at 9-00 a.m. on February 25 and reach Bodhan for the night touching Yellareddy and Banswada en route. They will resume their journey from Bodhan at 9-00 a.m. on February 26, cross the border check-post at Saluru and undertake sale of paddy through auction at Esgi village in Nanded district. Dr. JP will be addressing and interacting with farmers during the satyagraha movement.

Mr. Varma disclosed that FIFA would repeat its violation of the illegal Andhra Pradesh Government orders by undertaking paddy sales in both Tamil Nadu and Orissa too.

Mr. Varma said that since the satyagraha movement has nothing to do with the impending by-elections, the election code does not apply to it.

Mr. V. Laxman Balaji, Lok Satta Party General Secretary, Mrs. N. Sarojadevi, Mahila Satta President, and M. Satyanarayana, Greater Hyderabad Lok Satta President, took part in the media conference.