Implement MS Report to better farmers' lives: Babu

Criticizing the state government for its failure in extending succor to flood victims and farmers in the coastal districts, Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday demanded that the government implement the MS Swaminathan Commission’s report on agriculture to better the lives of farmers.

Talking to media persons after inspecting the flood hit areas in West Godavari district, the TDP chief stated that, “if the government has any commitment to upgrade the lives of farmers, it should immediately implement the Dr M S Swaminathan Commission Report and increase the prices of agriculture produce.”

Mr Naidu also urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi to visit the flood ravaged areas and release interim compensation to victims and farmers immediately.

He said the TDP would extend all assistance to flood victims and his party cadre would help government officials in relief operations.

The former chief minister also demanded that the government procure the discoloured rice from farmers by paying minimum support price to them and supply seeds on subsidized price for the Rabi season.

After completing his tour in West Godavari, Mr Naidu would visit Krishna district to express solidarity with MLAs who are staging a dharna in protest against the ‘indifferent attitude of the Chief Minister over farmers’ issues’.