TDP demands MSP for all farm produces

Hyderabad, Nov 6 (UNI) The opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh today alleged that the Centre and State governments were ''indifferent'' to the implementation of the recommendations of M S Swaminathan Committee and demanded hike in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce.

Initiating a brief discussion on the issue in the Assembly, Leader of Opposition (TDP) N Chandrababu Naidu accused the Centre of being ''partisan'' by hiking the MSP for wheat by 50.20 per cent while that of paddy was increased only by 22.66 per cent.

Criticising the ruling Congress for remaining ''unconcerned'' over the plight of farmers, Mr Naidu asked why the M S Swaminathan Commission recommendations were not being implemented.

Demanding that the government announce MSP to all agri-produce before the sowing season to help farmers decide on crop selection, he alleged that the government was ''shedding crocodile tears'' in front of farmers and doing ''nothing'' to solve their problems.

''The Jayathi Ghosh Committee also found fault with the government for not implementing its recommendations leading to increase in the incidence of suicide among farmers in the state,'' Mr Naidu claimed.

UNI