Andhra Tobacco Farmers Get Assurance: Minister Orders Crackdown on Auction Irregularities
Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu has directed officials to take measures to resolve issues at the Virginia tobacco auction platforms and ensure remunerative prices for farmers.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday regarding the ongoing Virginia tobacco procurement process, Mr. Atchannaidu assessed the functioning of the auction platforms, procurement progress and the challenges being faced by growers.
He instructed officials to organise meetings between farmers and representatives of tobacco-buying companies during the visit of the Tobacco Board’s Joint Secretary to Andhra Pradesh on July 9. The meetings, he said, should focus on addressing farmers’ concerns and improving the procurement process.
The Minister directed officials to closely monitor auction platforms that report high rejection rates and identify the reasons behind it so that corrective measures could be implemented without delay.
He also asked the Ministers concerned to personally visit auction centres, interact with farmers and examine allegations of cartelisation among tobacco-buying companies. Appropriate action should be taken wherever irregularities were found, he said.
Mr. Atchannaidu instructed Tobacco Board officials to initiate action, in accordance with rules, against companies that fail to participate in auctions.
Reiterating the State government’s commitment to protecting farmers’ interests, he said every effort was being made to ensure that Virginia tobacco growers receive fair and remunerative prices for their produce.
Social Welfare Minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Tobacco Board Chairman Chidipothu Yaswanth Kumar, Executive Director B. Vishwasri and senior officials participated in the review meeting.
