Click to play videoHyderabad: The minimum support price (MSP) for paddy seems to be turning into a major political turmoil for the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh.
Farmers are still to find a good price for their crop. This has raised their hackles and their agitation has gained political overtures as well.
"We pay the workers on our fields Rs 100 per day and the cost of maintenance per acre of land is about Rs 15,000. With all these expenses, we are facing losses. We want justice," says a farmer, G Ramulu.
Currently, the minimum supply price of paddy is Rs 725 per quintal while that of wheat is Rs 1000 per quintal. Farmers seek parity between the two.
Meanwhile, political parties are raking up the issue with a protest already being staged.
Leader of Opposition, Chandrababu Naidu has said, "We want the government to implement the Swaminathan report and, at the same time, give Rs 1000 per quintal of paddy at par with wheat and they have not done it so, finally we have no option but to stage a dharna."
The Swaminathan Committee recommendations, which the TDP wants implemented, say the minimum supply price should be at least 50 per cent more than the average cost of production. The TDP says its will continue protests till the farmers' demands are met. The Chief Minister so far has not made any promises.
Andhra Pradesh CM, YSR Reddy, said, "The government will ensure that we solve the problems faced by farmers. We are working on increasing the support price of paddy."
The state government is now suggesting that an all-party delegation meet the Prime Minister in this matter.
With inputs from Shaik Ahmed Ali
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