Harish seeks Central intervention in chilli issue

Hyderabad: Marketing and Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao sought Central intervention with regard to procuring chillies from the farmers in Telangana which produced 14 per cent more than last year.

In a letter addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh here on Sunday, the Minister sought 50 per cent of assistance from the Centre under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to procure the produce and instil confidence among the farmers to go in for chilli growing in future too.

An official committee that met on March 31 recommended procuring of chillies at Rs 7,000 per quintal directly from farmers. Against the total chilli production of 6,98,353 metric tons this year, 1,74,588.25 metric tons, that was 10 per cent of the production, was proposed under MIS with an estimated cost of Rs 502.59 crore while meeting 50 per cent Central assistance, he said.

Harish Rao said the price being offered was also too less compared to last year which was Rs 10,000 per quintal while it was only Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 per quintal this year. He asked the Union Minister to take necessary measures to procure maximum extent of chillies from the market by offering MSP and ensuring price stability.