GUNTUR: YSR Congress leaders demanded purchase of chillies through AP Markfed. A team of the YSRC led by Guntur East MLA Md Mustafa and MLC U. Venkateswarlu visited the Guntur chilli yard and alleged that the government was forcing chilli producers into difficulties due to its heedless decisions and demanded purchase of chillies by the Markfed.
YSRC Guntur district president M. Rajasekhar alleged that the government is failing to provide remunerative price for chilli produce. He lamented that the price of chilli was Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per quintal last year but it now dropped to Rs 6,000 only for higher quality and Rs 3,000 for normal quality. Mr Mustafa lamented that Guntur chilli yard created history with ever-low price for chilli. He alleged failure of the Telugu Desam despite appointment of TD leaders as chilli yard chairman and governing body members.
He demanded the government to announce at least Rs 10,000 as minimum supportive price and purchasing chilli through the Markfed. Mr Venkateswarlu said that the funds of price stabilisation can be used to give MSP, so the government should use the funds for stabilisation of prices of chilli produce. Mentioning about the financial losses to farmers due to absence of rains, damaged crops and insufficient rains, he expressed fear about increase of farmer’s suicides and demanded the government to help farmers. The YSRC leaders interacted with the chilli producers and announced YSRC support to the fight of chilli growers to get MSP.
