Tobacco Farmers Block NH-16 in Ongole, Demand Remunerative Prices
Growers seek fair prices, MARKFED procurement and a Rs 1,000 crore relief package.
Nellore: Traffic on National Highway-16 came to a standstill for some time on Wednesday after members of the Kisan Morcha Farmers' Association staged a road blockade in Ongole, demanding remunerative prices for tobacco and immediate government intervention to support distressed farmers.
The protesters alleged that tobacco growers are suffering heavy losses due to poor prices despite cultivating the crop at high cost. They demanded that the government ensure a fair price for tobacco irrespective of grade and procure the crop through MARKFED.
The farmers also urged the state government to allocate `1,000 crore for tobacco procurement and financial relief, alleging that assurances made by the ruling dispensation to support farmers have not been fulfilled. They appealed to the authorities not to reject tobacco brought to auction platforms and said they would reduce cultivation in the coming season if the existing stock was fully procured.
Rejecting the idea of bonus payments, the protesters demanded direct financial support through a dedicated procurement fund instead.
The highway blockade led to long traffic snarls, with vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway. Police intervened, dispersed the protesters, and took several farmer leaders into preventive custody, restoring traffic on the busy national highway.
