Ryots hit by note-ban: CIFA

Ryots hit by note-ban: CIFA
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Chengal Reddy says Indian farmers are producing about 250 MT fruits and vegetables worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crore and bringing them into the

- Association chief advisor urges Centre to initiate remedial measures to save farmers

Chengal Reddy says Indian farmers are producing about 250 MT fruits and vegetables worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crore and bringing them into the fold of banking for accounting their produce is a challenging and stupendous task which can be done in a gradual manner but not all of a sudden

Tirupati: Stating that the demonetisation had hit the agriculture hard more so the perishable fruits and vegetable growers, Consortium of Indian Farmer Association (CIFA) chief advisor Peddireddy Chengal Reddy urged the Central government to initiate remedial measures on war-foot to save agriculturists.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Monday, Chengal Reddy said that the farmers bore the brunt of the withdrawal of the high denomination notes and the subsequent severe restrictions being imposed by the RBI for availing cash from the banks as they were unorganised and most of them are outside the banking system. He stated that illiteracy among farmers is still high and the fact that the tenant farmers, who constitute 60 to 70 per cent, adding more to their woes.

“Farmers are facing difficulties from engaging labourers for farm works, purchase of fertilisers and pesticides, harvesting and marketing,” he added. The association chief advisor said that the Indian farmers are producing about 250 MT fruits and vegetables worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crore and bringing them into the fold of banking for accounting their produce is a challenging and stupendous task which can be done in a gradual manner but not all of a sudden. He urged the Centre to take immediate measures to avoid farmers from facing difficulties in marketing their produce.

The urgent initiatives, he wanted, include payment of the 50 per cent of value of the produce after the sale in the market yards or in the mandis and the remittance of the balance by the private traders and commission agents in farmers’ bank accounts. Issuing of Kisan Credit Cards to farmers with Rs 50,000 cash withdrawal facility and also opening bank accounts for those who are not having it.

In the same breath, Reddy whole heartedly welcomed the demonetisation move and insisted the Centre to take up safety measures for the benefit of farmers. Reddy wanted the Central government to set up ATMs at all Agricultural Marketing Committees, introducing swipe machines at all fertiliser, pesticide and veterinary medical shops, and also ensuring MSP to all the 28 commodities notified by the Centre against three or four now for mitigating farmers from the present crisis. He also sought a clarification from the concerned officials on the rules of Income Tax exemption to farmers. Farmers’ leader Mangati Gopal Reddy was also present

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