Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao said that the Central Government has failed to help the chilli and turmeric farmers of Telangana State.
Addressing a press conference at TRS Legislature Party office on Thursday, Harish Rao said against the production of nearly 7 lakh Metric Tonnes of chilli, the Centre has agreed to purchase only 33,000 Metric Tonnes.
He said that the Central Government was purchasing only Grade-I chilli while completely ignoring other grades and qualities. He demanded that the Centre procure entire produce at a cost of Rs. 7,000 per quintal.
He said a letter in this regard was sent to Union Agriculture Minsiter Radha Mohan Singh on April 1 itself.
Harish Rao accused the BJP leaders, especially Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatraya of playing politics on the issue of chilli farmers.
He said while BJP leaders are visiting all market yards in the State demanding procurement of chilli at Rs. 10,000 per quintal, the BJP-led NDA Government has decided to buy chilli for not more than Rs. 5,000 per quintal.
The minister said that the Telangana Government would again write a letter to the Centre asking it procure entire chilli from Telanana farmers. (INN)