Plea for allowing export of "dollar chana" of MP

New Delhi, Mar 2 (UNI) BJP MP Satya Narayan Jatia today urged the Centre to make special arrangements for export variety--''dollar chana''-- grown in parts of Madhya Pradesh to enable the farmers to earn remunerative price for their produce.

Raising the issue through a special mention in the Lok Sabha, Mr Jatia said agriculture crops had suffered extensive damage due to hailstorm in Madhya Pradesh recently. Hence, he demanded payment of compensation to farmers promptly.

The BJP MP also demanded the cement prices be brought down as it had witnessed a spurt in demand immediately after the increase made in excise duty on cement in the General Budget 2007-08. The hike in cement prices was a result of the attempt made in the Budget to contain its prices without realising the implications, he said.

Mr Jatia said if the cement prices were allowed to go unchecked, construction cost would escalate making it difficult for the poor to build houses.

UNI