BJP, CPM slams government for paddy ban

Demanding scraping of GO which restricts the exports of farm produce to other states, BJP floor leader E Lakshmi Narayana on Tuesday urged the State Government to announce additional sops to distressed farmers in the State on the lines of other states.

Talking to media persons at Assembly media point, Lakshmi Narayana came down heavily on the government for making confusing statements on the GO and diverting the attention of the House. He criticized Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister D Sridhar Babu for making contradictory statements on the GO.

“Though neighbouring States have announced Rs 200 per acre as bonus for growing paddy and providing other facilities, the State Government has restricted the export of paddy while forcing the farmers to sell their produce at lower prices," he pointed out.

CPI (M) floor leader Julakanti Rangareddy criticised the government for not responding on the GO and forcing the House for frequent adjournment. He condemned the government for shifting the blame on opposition parties. He said that the farmers in some areas were forced to declare crop holiday due to rise in the expenditure costs of agriculture.

Rangareddy asked the government as to why it has restricted the export of paddy when the companies were allowed to sell their products anywhere in country. He said that the agriculture scientists should consult the farmers and prevail upon the government to announce remunerative prices for farm produce.