Farmers to organise jail bharo for MSP

Vijayawada, Jun 22 (UNI) Farmers in Andhra Pradesh owing allegiance to all political parties, except Congress today said they would lay siege to all district collectorates and organise 'jail bharo' agitation acorss the state on June 26 to protest Centre's failure to enhance Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy and provide fertilisers and seeds to them.

Talking to newspersons here AP ''rytu sangham'' President V Subbarao charged that the Centre failed to announce MSP for paddy despite the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission.

He demanded the state government to bear the remaining Rs 150 for quintal of paddy as incentive as in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

There are 1.6 crore farmers in the state, out of whom 90 lakh are small and marginal farmers.

During the last four years over 4000 farmers had committed suicide in the state.

They also demanded the state government to waive the co-operative loans.

Referring the state government's decision to reduce the price by 15 per cent on complex fertilisers and at the same time 25 per cent increase in pesticides price, he said it is a heavy burden on small and marginal farmers.

The leaders said the agitations will continue till the government announces to pay Rs 1000 per quintal for paddy farmers.

UNI XR VV SV NS1522