Farmers urge TN Govt to increase paddy price

Tiruchirapalli, Aug 23 (UNI) The representatives of various Farmers Associations in this district of Tamil Nadu urged the State Government to increase the procurement price of paddy to Rs 1,250 a quintal for the Kuruvai season in view of the rising inflation.

The associations in a meeting here yesterday urged the Government to fix the procurement price at Rs 1000 a quintal for coarse variety and Rs 1,050 for fine variety, over and above the Centre's Minimum Support Price(MSP).

They said Direct Paddy Purchase Centres (DPCs), including mobiles, would be opened, as harvesting begins in a fortnight across the district. Since the procurement period falls during the monsoon, the Government should ensure procurement of paddy with 24 per cent moisture content, they added.

P Ayyakannu, General Secretary, Bharthiya Kisan Sangh, said the district administration should ensure that bank managers followed the guidelines for the loan-waiver strictly.

R Subramanian, Deputy General Secretary, District Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, urged the Government to press Karnataka to release Tamil Nadu's share of water as laid down by the Cauvery Tribunal.

Mr Subramanian also urged the PWD to ensure adequate flow in the Uyyakondan and Kattalai high-level Channel.

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