Congress holds protests in support of chilli farmers

Hyderabad: Congress on Monday help protests across Telangana expressing support to red chilli farmers and demanded a market invention by the State government.

Congress alleged that the red chilli farmers incurred huge losses as the government failed to set up a reasonable support price.

They demanded that the government facilitate procurement of chillies through State market institutions and organise a consultation with the farmers.

While seeking transparent procurement system, with daily flow of information on prices and procurements, the party also sought the government to facilitate chilli exports through Spices Board. A delegation led by M Kodanda Reddy, Chairman Kisan and Kheth Mazdoor Congress, along with V Hanumantha Rao, former MP, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, former TPCC president and D Sudheer Reddy, former MLA met the Chief Secretary, S P Singh in the Secretariat.

Earlier during the day, Kodanda Reddy also led protests at Malakpet market yard. Meanwhile, farmers led by Alampur MLA, S A Sampath held protests in front of Agriculture Commissionerate over the issue of ‘spurious seeds’.

The MLA called off the protests, after Agriculture Minister, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy assured to hold a meeting with farmers. The Congress leaders across the State also represented the issue with Revenue officials after holding protests.

Former Minister D K Aruna, Former whip Jagga Reddy and DCC presidents held demonstrations in their respective constituencies.