Telangana Rythu Sangham seeks cut in rental charges of cold storages

​Khammam: Telangana Rythu Sangham demanded the government reduce the rental charges of cold storages for storing chillies, here in Khammam on Tuesday.

Rythu Sangham district president Midikanti Chinna Venkat Reddy alleged that the traders and the owners of the cold storages in Khammam and across the State, by forming syndicate, had increased the rental charges of cold storages from Rs 120 to 162 per one quintal which would become difficult for farmers to store their produce until they get good price in the market.

“Many farmers are in depression for not getting minimum support price for their produce after investing huge amount of money. The hike in rental charges will only aggravate their problems,” he felt. “Moreover, the owners of cold storages are giving priority to traders for storing their materials instead of farmers.

When asked by farmers they are increasing rental charges due to which farmers are forced to sell their produce for low price,” he criticised.

“By forming syndicate, the traders purchased the produce for low price earlier and now along with the owners of cold storages they are deceiving the farmers by not allowing them to store their produce,” he alleged. He demanded the government take necessary steps immediately and bring down the rental charges along with fixing minimum support price to save the chilli growers.