Renuka joins issue with official

KHAMMAM: MP Renuka Chowdary flayed the attitude of the agricultural officials for failing to procure maize and cotton from farmers by offering minimum support price.
She even had a row over the issue with joint collector Nadeem Ahmed at the agriculture market yard, where the purchases are still continuing.
Several farmers poured out their woes to the MP, who made a surprise visit to the market yard on Tuesday night, and sought the MP’s help in sorting out the issue pertaining to procurement of maize.They complained that officials were refusing their produce on one or other pretext and relenting only by offering Rs 300 to Rs 350 per quintal against the Rs 510 MSP for fine quality of maize. The MP called up market officials and sought reasons for not ensuring MSP and demanded the purchase of entire stock brought by farmers from far of places.
However, she paid another visit to market yard on Wednesday and enquired about the purchases. Most of the farmers again complained about the refusal by officials citing wet condition of the produce in the wake of Tuesday night’s heavy rain.
She then accompanied a large number of farmers to joint collector (JC) Nadeem Ahmed who was present in the market. She argued with JC that it was not the fault of the farmers who brought their produce to the market and it was up to the market officials to procure maize and cotton or keep them in one of the godowns before the procurement.
She demanded that a MSP of Rs 2,400 per quintal for cotton and Rs 510 for maize be ensured to farmers. The joint collector explained that they were giving MSP to fine quality and procuring other varieties based on the quality. He said they opened separate counters for maize and cotton procurement.