States call for regulatory authority on seed prices

Hyderabad, June 9 (UNI) Agriculture Ministers of seven states today sought the constitution of a regulatory authority for controlling prices of seeds and protecting farmers from being exploited by the MNCs.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting presided by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy here, State Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra were ready to cooperate on controlling Bt cotton seed prices.

The governments would not tolerate 'exploitation' by the MNCs which were 'supplying seeds to farmers at high prices.' ''We are not against technology or any company. We want more technology in agriculture sector. But, it should reach the farmers at an affordable rates,'' he added.

Urging the Centre to bring in an integrated 'Seed Act,' Mr Reddy said the meeting also focussed on measures to consolidate on the orders of Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices court (MRTPC) based on which Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat Governments priced the Bt cotton seed at Rs 750 per 450 gram.

The states would sign an MoU to protect the farmers from exploitation, this evening, the minister said adding they would also take steps to implead the Centre in the BT cotton seed case pending in the Supreme Court.

UNI AP CS SSC1603