Vijayawada: Amid concerns over fluctuating tobacco prices, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday asserted that protecting the interests of tobacco farmers remained the government’s top priority.
“No variety of tobacco should be purchased below Rs.200 per kilogram,” he said.
At a review meeting held at the secretariat with tobacco farmers and traders, the chief minister examined the prevailing price trends and listened to grievances from both growers and trade representatives.
He stressed that under current conditions, traders and purchasing companies must extend complete cooperation to farmers in a humane and responsible manner.
Reiterating a strict posture on procurement practices, Naidu directed that the terms “no bid” and “low bid” must have no place in tobacco auction centres. Every consignment of tobacco brought to the market by farmers must be purchased without exception and these should not be sent back, he stressed.
Naidu said all tobacco auction platforms be made fully operational to ensure smooth procurement. He made it clear that all tobacco companies are mandatorily required to participate in purchases, and no company will be permitted to withdraw from the procurement process midway.
Warning against irregularities, Naidu said stringent action would be taken against those undertaking unauthorized purchases outside the purview of the tobacco board, adding that arrests would be made if necessary to curb such violations.
The government, he added, will take up the issue with the Centre to stabilize the tobacco market and ensure long-term solutions for farmers. He also announced plans to travel to New Delhi along with farmers’ representatives and officials of the tobacco board to meet central ministers and officials. He directed agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu to coordinate the exercise.
Looking ahead, the chief minister said the government will formulate plans aligned with market conditions from next year and promote alternative crops to reduce dependence on tobacco cultivation while ensuring sustainable farmer incomes.
The meeting was attended by ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Gottipati Ravi Kumar, DV Swamy, public representatives from the erstwhile Prakasam district, tobacco board officials and senior administrative officers.
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