Jaya asks CM to press Centre on MSP hike for paddy

Chennai, Dec 5 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today urged Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to insist on the Centre to increase the Minimum Support Price for paddy to Rs 1,000 and ensure uninterrupted supply of fertilisers to farmers.

In a statement here, she said the DMK Government should also take steps to immediately disburse crop loan to farmers and provide quality rice through ration shops.

Alleging that shortage of fertilisers has hit the farmers very badly, she said during the harvest season it was the responsibility of the state government to monitor and ensure timely availability of fertilisers to the farmers.

During the previous AIADMK regime, fertilisers were freely made available to farmers. But there was scarcity after the DMK came to power and the government was contemplating its import, she added.

UNI