Vijayawada: HRD and IT minister Nara Lokeshhas assured the tobacco growers of extending full support from state govt. He said that the State would request the Centre to intervene and support the tobacco growers. Several tabacco farmers met Lokesh during his visit toAmmanabrolu of Prakasam district on Thursday and expressed their ordeal.They said that the merchants were not picking up their stocks citing poor international demand, while traders were rejecting the stocks in auction platforms without quoting the price to avoid purchase.Lokesh immediately called agriculture minister K Atchannaidu and brought the tobacco farmers’ concerns to his notice. He suggested the agriculture minister to discuss the issue with Union commerce ministry officials, if necessary. Atchannaidu told Lokesh that he had been reviewing the situation with the tobacco purchasing companies and tobacco board officials. He explained that he had already asked the traders to immediately increase the price and purchase the entire stock. The agriculture minister also mentioned that a decision had been made to cover transportation charges for distances up to 20 km. Lokesh asked Atchannaidu to ensure farmers received a fair price as soon as possible. Earlier in the day, Lokesh visited the family of TDP leader and former MPP Muppavarapu Veeraiah Chowdary, who was murdered in Ongole recently. Lokesh paid tribute by garlanding Chowdary’s portrait. He consoled the family of the deceased and offered them the party’s support. Recalling his bond with Veeraiah Chowdary, Lokesh noted that he had walked along his side during the Yuvagalam Padayatra and worked to strengthen the party. “Govt will ensure that the culprits in Chowdary’s murder case face stringent punishment,” assured the HRD minister.
