Save TN farmers like Karnataka did: Anbumani Ramadoss to state government
Anbumani said that the Karnataka government and the central government have decided to jointly procure 2.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes from the farmers and provide Rs. 4,000 per tonne as incentive
CHENNAI: Pointing out to the Karnataka government’s measures to safeguard mango farmers from plummeting procurement prices, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to take similar steps to save farmers in the State.
In a statement, Anbumani said that the Karnataka government and the central government have decided to jointly procure 2.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes from farmers and provide an incentive of Rs 4,000 per tonne. "The decision was taken following initiatives taken by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He had written a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to take up the issue. Thousands of farmers in Karnataka will be benefitted because of the Karnataka government’s initiative," he pointed out.
He added that while farmers in Karnataka are receiving help, their brethren in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, and Salem, in the border districts, are still suffering. "Due to a lack of procurement, mangoes are being dumped in lakes and on roadsides. But the government remains a spectator without any guilt. It is the responsibility of state governments to help farmers when they are in distress.
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are doing their duties. In Andhra Pradesh, the government bears Rs 4,000 per tonne while procuring in juice factories and Karnataka, farmers will get Rs 4,000 per tonne as procurement has been guaranteed," he said.
Recalling his earlier statement in which he urged the government to organise talks with farmers and pulp factory owners to ensure fair procurement prices, Anbumani alleged that the government did not act on the request.
"The government held talks only with the owners of juice factories and promised fair procurement prices on June 20. However, there has been no significant procurement from the factories over the last four days. Only 40 per cent of the crops have been harvested. If the remaining crops are harvested, the situation will become worse. Therefore, the government should ensure the procurement of mangoes at a price of Rs 4,000 per tonne. Also, compensation of Rs. 30,000 per acre should be provided to already affected farmers," he demanded.
