YSR urges coop societies to arrest fertiliser black marketing

Hyderabad, Jun 22: Admitting the prevailing fertiliser scarcity in Andhra Pradesh due to increased prices of petro products and imported chemicals, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today asked the officials of cooperative societies to arrest black marketing of fertilisers by dealers.

Participating in a programme organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Societies Secretaries and Employees union here, he said the prices of sulphur, nitrates and rock phosphorus, which were imported regularly, have skyrocketed this year, causing heavy burden on the Centre. The delay in the release of the State's quota of fertilisers had triggered panic among the farmers, resulting in agitations in some areas.

Claiming that his Government was farmer-friendly and striving to bring back the past glory of the State by increasing agricultural production, Dr Reddy said 82 lakh farmers, out of the total 1.5 crore, have benefitted from the loan waiver scheme announced by the Centre recently. About Rs 13,000 crore worth farm loans were waived in the State alone.

Stating that the Government would help the farmers who have repaid their loans by providing Rs 5,000 as incentive during this year, the Chief Minister said the Government would provide more assistance to the farmers who repaid loans next year.

State Home Minister K Jana Reddy, Cooperative Minister Mohd Fariduddin and officials concerned attended the programme.

UNI