TDP demands lifting of ban on paddy exports

Telugu Desam party MLA Devineni Uma Mahareswara Rao on Tuesday came down heavily on the State Government for not lifting the restrictions imposed on the export of paddy in the State.

Talking to media persons at Assembly media point, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said that the lifting of restriction on export of paddy would facilitate the farmers to sell their produce in the other States at a better price. He said that the farmers were forced to sell their produce at lower prices due to the ban.

Protesting against the government’s irresponsive attitude on scrapping the GO, the TDP MLA said that the party has staged a walk out from the House. He also criticized the government for not taking measures to buy the soaked rice from farmers affected with Thane cyclone in coastal Andhra Pradesh. "The government, which claims to be the champion of farmers’ cause, shoud open its eyes at least now and take measures for their welfare," he said.

Uma Maheshwara Rao said that the government should take steps to buy the discolored rice through Food Corporation of India and help the distressed farmers. Apart from this, he appealed to the government to construct sufficient number of godowns for storage of excess grains. Despite increase in paddy production, he said that there were no godowns for storing the excess grains in the State.

The TDP MLA said that the government should show its commitment for the welfare of farmers through direct action instead of making tall, but hollow claims.