AIKS demands compensation for crop loss in AP

Vijayawada, Mar 19 (UNI) The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) today demanded that the Andhra Pradesh Government should immediately pay the compensation for the crop loss due to rains last month.

Addressing a press conference here, AIKS Vice-President Kolli Nageswara Rao said the untimely rains from February 5 to 13 had damaged crops worth about Rs 408 crore in 12 districts of the state.

He said Bengal gram crop raised in 91,427 acres were damaged in Prakasam district.

The State Government had announced to provide a compensation of Rs 1,500 per acre for the damaged crops of maize, millet, bengal gram, red gram and black gram while providing 1,800 per acre for the damaged paddy, groundnut and chilli crops. Though the government had announced Rs 2,000 per acre for the loss of tobacco crop, it had settled only some amount so far, he pointed out.

Charging the state government with delaying the payment of compensation to farmers, Mr Rao said and demanded that 'Markfed' purchase wet bengal gram at Rs 1,900 per quintal by relaxing the rules.

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