200 crore released for payment

Vijayawada: The State government released Rs 200 crore on Thursday towards payment for paddy procured from farmers. Agriculture Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao said that the payment to farmers was pending for the last one month. Reacting to the concerns of farmers over delay in payment of paddy dues, the State government released Rs 200 crore, he said, adding that the government will release the balance amount of Rs 900 crore within a week.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, the Minister said that the government procured 28 lakh tonnes of paddy from farmers. He said the balance amount which comes around Rs 900 crore will be remitted in the bank accounts of farmers in a week’s time. The Minister said investors are coming forward to set up a coconut park either in East or West Godavari. He said the government will allow 30 acres of land for the purpose.

The Minister said once the company comes into existence, the coconut farmers in both the Godavari districts will be benefitted as the company will produce eight by-products of coconut. He said a meeting will be convened in February first week by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss the matter with the company representatives.

The Minister said the Chief Minister had directed the officials to develop link roads in villages by using 20 percent of market committee funds and 50 per cent of MGNREGS funds which comes around Rs 200 crore. He said link roads will be developed for the convenience of farmers to transport agricultural produce from their fields and to transport it to market committees in nearby towns.