Tadepalli, July 22: What is the propriety of you serving as Union Ministers and State Ministers when you fail to address the plight of farmers at the right time? The statements of Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Agriculture Minister Achchennaidu, claiming to support mango farmers, are painful and misleading.
Since May 10th this year, mango farmers have been grappling with issues due to low prices, continuously expressing their distress. The state government has utterly failed to support them. Meanwhile, the neighboring state of Karnataka convinced the central government to procure mangoes at ₹16 per kg, securing a letter on June 21 to help its farmers to some extent. However, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his party’s Union Ministers showed no concern in this matter. Is it not shameful that, after the mango season ended and farmers’ crops were sold, you obtained a letter on July 21 and now claim to have benefited farmers? Last year, farmers sold mangoes at Rs. 25-29 per kg, but now you announce a support price of Rs. 14.9 per kg, stating the difference between the market rate and the Market Intervention Scheme price is only Rs. 3.7 per kg. The central and state governments are contributing just Rs. 1.84 per kg, which is nothing but deceiving farmers. Moreover, farmers no longer have crops to sell. Who is this meager aid meant for when there are no crops left? Are your announcements not merely for political gain and to exploit farmers? A similar injustice was done to chili farmers previously. Despite announcing Rs. 11,731 per quintal, not a single kg of chili was procured from any farmer. Just as chili farmers were wronged, mango farmers are now facing the same injustice. Out of 6.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes produced in the state, you claim to procure only 1.62 lakh tonnes, and that too only for sales after the July 21 letter, when most farmers’ crops have already reached the market. Is this not an injustice?
The juice factories, which should have opened on May 10, remained closed until June 10, yet the state government paid no attention. Even when prices crashed, no action was taken. Though a price of Rs. 12 per kg was announced, no factory made purchases. The promised Rs. 4 per kg has not been paid to anyone so far.
Despite these injustices, you are now creating a fuss over the central government’s letter, distorting it for propaganda and further wronging farmers. This is utterly deplorable.
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