Farmers to agitate for MSP hike

Hyderabad, Oct 23 (UNI) Farmers' organisations supported by major opposition parties will block rail and road transport in Andhra Pradesh tomorrow demanding hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy to Rs 1,000 per quintal.

Talking to newspersons here today, CPI-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha State President K Ramakrishna said a decision to this effect was taken by the All Party Action Committee, comprising the farmers wing of the TDP, TRS, CPI, CPI(M) and the BJP.

He asserted that they would wage a relentless struggle till the Union Government conceded to their demand.

Alleging that the Congress government in the state had ''totally failed'' to take up the farmers' cause with the Centre, he claimed that the government was trying to suppress their ''peaceful stir'' by using the police and clamping prohibitory orders.

Except the ruling Congress, all parties had extended their support to the stir, he added.

UNI