Farmers demand lifting of curbs on paddy purchase

PNS|Vijayawada

In response to the Telugu Desam Party’s call, the Krishna District Telugu Rythu Committee staged a protest for lifting the restrictions on paddy purchase at the Paddy Procurement Centres and enhancing the moisture percentage from 17 to 20, at Arugolanu of Bapulapadu mandal in Krishna district on Monday. The protest was part of ‘Idemi Karma – Rashtraniki’.

A huge number of farmers took part in the protest, along with paddy bags, on the Gudivada – Hanuman Junction and expressed unhappiness over the purchase of paddy through Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs). The farmers raised slogans that the State government should purchase the total yield of a common variety of paddy through RBKs. Telugu Rythu Krishna district vice-president Movva Venkateswara Rao led the protest. TDP Gannavaram constituency in-charge and MLC Batchula Arjunudu was also present. Speaking on the occasion, MLC Arjunudu said that about 9.60 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was harvested in the combined Krishna district.

The State government has purchased 2.50 lakh MT of paddy so far, he added. “At the time of paddy procurement, the RBK staff and millers imposed various restrictions and brought down the paddy price,” he alleged.

He further said that the State government should lift all such restrictions. Also, the government should enhance the moisture percentage from 17 to 20. “The millers have colluded with the RBK staff as a result of which the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is decreasing.