E-auction of tobacco from next year

New Delhi, Dec 13 (UNI) The government would introduce e-auction of tobacco next year to ensure better price to growers.

This was announced by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh in the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour today.

The Minister said e-auction would break the straglehold of buyers who do not pay reasonable price to tobacco farmers.

Replying to a supplementary, he dismissed the charge that any discrimination was taking place against tobacco growers of Andhra Pradesh as compared to those of Karnataka.

Since Karnataka tobacco was better in quality, it carried higher price, so the perception about discrimination against Andhra farmers was wrong, said Mr Ramesh.

UNI NAZ VD DB1252