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Title: Need to look into the problems being faced by Tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU (SRIKAKULAM): Mr. Chairman, Sir, the matter which I am raising relates to the plight of the tobacco farmers of Andhra Pradesh. The Tobacco Board has authorised Andhra Pradesh to produce 118 million kilograms of tobacco for the year 2005. Due to the failure of the monsoon, no other crop could be produced during this year. The farmers are producing nearly 150 million kilograms of tobacco. The average cultivation cost has also increased this year from 15 per cent to 20 per cent. Last year, the farmers sold tobacco at an average price of Rs.39.66. Till yesterday, out of 150 million kilograms of tobacco, the farmers sold only 52.8 million kilograms. Even this
year, the average price is Rs.38.66 which is lesser by Re.1. So, in this context, the farmers are agitating. Day before yesterday, in Prakasam and Guntur districts, the farmers came on roads. They were agitating as they are not getting remunerative price. The tobacco is also not sold.
In this regard, we requested the hon. Minister of Commerce many times. The TDP Parliamentary Party and even the Congress MPs met the Minister of Commerce several times. We have Rs.100 crore with the Tobacco Board. We asked the Ministry of Commerce to direct the Tobacco Board to intervene in the market and purchase tobacco. Even after repeated instructions by the Minister of Commerce, the Tobacco Board is not reacting. They are not purchasing the tobacco. That is why, the distressed farmers are committing suicides in Andhra Pradesh. This is the reality. The kith and kin of the farmers who have committed suicides also came on the roads. Now they are agitating as they are not getting even the compensation.
In this situation, I would request you to ask the Government to intervene in this matter. For the last five years, the farmers are agitating. You could ask our colleagues. This is a very important issue. This is a burning issue in Andhra Pradesh. You could ask this from our colleagues on that side. Therefore, the Government should intervene in this matter. I would request you to direct the Government to intervene… (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI TEJASWINI SEERAMESH (KANAKAPURA): You also mention the plight of the farmers in Karnataka… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please do not speak like this.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : They are also facing problems.
MR. CHAIRMAN: You have a big support. The following hon. Members also associated themselves with the matter raised by Shri Yerrannaidu.
(1) Dr. M. Jagannath
(2) Shrimati D. Purandeswari
(3) Shri K.S. Rao
(4) Shrimati Tejaswani Seeramesh
(5) Shri Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy[r21]
(6) Shri D.K. Audikesavulu