YSR Congress bats for farmers, consumers in Andhra

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) today asked the TDP-led Government in Andhra Pradesh to initiate steps to ensure direct procurement of produce from farmers and check the rising prices of essential commodities.
The Opposition party also announced holding of dharnas (sit-ins) across the State over these issues.
"Farmers and consumers are bearing the brunt with the MSP (minimum support price) being far less and the prices of essential commodities sky-rocketing even as the TDP Government is showing no concern towards pro-people issues," senior party leader Botsa Satyanrayana said here.
The Government has been totally neglecting the farm sector. The farmer is facing hardship due to lack of bank loans, poor rains, hike in prices of fertilisers and inadequate procurement facilities, a party release quoted Satyanrayana as saying.

"Middlemen should be eliminated and there should be direct procurement of the farm produce."
"We will stage dharnas at all the tehsil offices on November 2 and submit a memorandum highlighting the failures of the Government and demanding proper measures to address the problems of farmers and consumers," the former Minister said.