Press Releases Archive

Hike in paddy MSP an eye-wash: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today termed the hike in the minimum support price of paddy as an eye-wash since it does not take into consideration the steep increase in costs of production.

The Union Government has raised the MSP for common paddy from Rs.1080 to Rs.1250 a quintal and for A grade paddy from Rs.1110 to Rs.1280 a quintal for the 2012-13 kharif season.

In a media statement, Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao, Convener, Federation of Independent Farmers' Associations and Lok Satta Party Secretary, recalled that the Swaminathan Commission had recommended that the MSP should be at least 50 per cent more than the cost of production. The cost of production has spiraled in the last few years because of the increase in costs of inputs like seeds, fertilizers and pesticides and laborers' wages.

The Union Government decision falls far short of the commission's recommendation.

Mr. Bhaskara Rao said that the State Government had failed ensure MSP for paddy during the crop year 2011-12. It hurt the farmer further by enforcing a ban on movement of paddy and rice outside the State in contravention of laws and Central guidelines. It was only after the Lok Satta Party defied the illegal ban by launching a movement that the farmers received the MSP.

The farmers' leader demanded that the entire country be treated as one zone and the farmer given freedom to move his produce wherever there is demand.

Instead of leaving procurement to millers, the Andhra Pradesh Government should enter the market like its counterparts in Punjab and Chattisgarh.

Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 19:14

Lok Satta wants all suspicious deals annulled

The Lok Satta Party today welcomed the Government directive to AP Mining Development Corporation to cancel the lease agreement with Rakashana Steels on iron ore mines spread over 1.41 lakh acres in Khammam and Warangal districts.

Lok Satta Party leaders D. V. V. S. Varma and P. Bhaskara Rao said in a media statement said the agreement was flawed on many counts including lease of areas in Scheduled areas to ineligible entities.

The Lok Satta leaders said that those in the Government and its undertakings over the years have arbitrarily allocated precious natural resources like land, minerals and sand to their relatives and cronies. All suspect deals like Vanpic and Lepakshi should be revoked and precious natural resources allocated through international competitive bidding. The resources should be allocated judiciously considering the interests of future generations. Windfall profits arising out of allocation of public resources to private entities should be taxed.

On the by-elections scheduled for June 12, the Lok Satta leaders appealed to voters to vote in favor of good candidates without succumbing to inducements like money being offered by traditional parties.

Mr. Varma and Mr. Bhaskara Rao congratulated people of Sitaramapuram village in Payakaraopet constituency on turning away politicians who came to buy their votes.

Monday, June 11, 2012 - 18:37

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