Collector Mutyala Raju orders probe against farmers

Nellore: District Collector Mutyala Raju on Sunday categorically stated that they would initiate action against farmers who sold low quality turmeric at Markfed purchasing centre with fake certificates.

Speaking at ZP general body meeting here, the collector said they would book criminal cases against those involved in discrepancies. The Collector said they had already appointed Joint Collector-2 for enquiry on the allegations against procurement of turmeric.

He said they had also formed 10 teams to verify the procurement process where alleged irregularities come to light. He said of 1,207 farmers around 373 had only produced certificates from local VRO and horticulture officer. They would verify other cases where there was no certification from the horticulture official as part of the enquiry. The process takes 4-5 days for completing enquiry in all villages on whether the crop was cultivated there or not.

The Collector said Industries Minister, who is in-charge minister of Nellore, would conduct a meeting with local people’s representatives in the coming 10-15 days on various issues such as problem related to SEZs and others. They had also discussed on utilisation of CSR funds and employment to local jobless.

He said they had received many petitions regarding rationalisation process and would take final decision within 3-4 days and conduct counselling. The Collector said a GO has been released about population based support from NREGS and consequently funds to be attached by the local Gram Panchayat.

Since there is non-availability of material component in the district majority areas would get support in the ratio of 50:50 as per the GO, he explained.Probe sought YSR Congress Party MLA K Govardhan Reddy and Nellore Rural MLA K Sridhar Reddy demanded for fund utilisation of various industries as part of CSR activity.

They also asked to focus on employment to the local jobless in these industries and special economic zones who denied chances to local people. The Collector informed that the in-charge minister Amarnath Reddy would convene a meet with people’s representatives shortly on such issues.

Members also raised questions on the alleged irregularities with procurement of turmeric in the district. ZP Chairman B Raghavendra Reddy asked to check the records and initiate action against discrepancies. He also said they would supply a guide published with the funds provided by the district collector to the students on the syllabus of SSC students this year.

Farmers seek relief Demanding to pay compensation to the farmers and setting up agri-based industries in the IFFCO-KSEZ, the farmers from Kodavalur mandal staged a protest in front of the New Zilla Parishad Office on Sunday. They obstructed movement of District Collector R Mutyala Raju’s vehicle seeking justice for the farmers.

They demanded compensation to the farmers immediately. Pennar Delta Association district leader Bezawada Govinda Reddy said that IFFCO KISAN SEZ management had failed to provide compensation to all the farmers till now. He also said that SEZ management has not been taking resolutions of local Panchayats before setting up industries in the zone.

Farmers of Racharlapadu, Regadachelaka, Bodduvaripalem under Kodavalur mandal also obstructed vehicle of Kovur MLA P Sreenivasulu Reddy.

They alleged that Kovur MLA Srinivasulu Reddy had joined hands with the IFFCO management and failed to fight on the issues. IFFCO management had not provided any employment to the local youth and providing jobs to non-local people, they alleged.

Meanwhile, Kodavalur Zilla Parishad member Sridhar Reddy demanded the Collector to pay compensation to the all the farmers and to provide employment to local youth. Further, MLC Beeda Ravichandra said they would brought the issue to the notice of the Chief Minister for quick resolution.