Commission to stabilise crop prices soon: CM

 

Bangalore:  An Agriculture Price Commission ((APC) which will determine the prices of  agricultural produce scientifically and ensure that there is no distress sale by farmers, would solve the problems they are facing, said Chief Minister Siddara­maiah on Sunday Making a fervant appeal to farmers not to commit suicide, the Chief Minister said:  "My government is with you (farmers). They should not lose morale." 

 

Talking to reporters, the CM said: “Once the Agricul­ture Price Commission is set up, prices will stabilize and farmers will get a fair price for their produce. The cabinet has already cleared the proposal a week ago. It is now pending with a cabinet sub-committee. I am confident that sometime in January or February, we will be in a position to set up the Commission".  

 

The APC will determine prices every year based on inputs provided by agriculture scientists and farmers and based on market trends and not leave these prices to the vagaries of a free market.

 

Reacting to protests by the opposition on the sugarcane pricing issue, he said: "If they genuinely pick up an issue and bring it to the notice of government, we are ready to solve it, but if they are raking it up for political reasons, we will respond to it politically."

 

Asked about the payment of ex-gratia amount to the family of a tobacco farmer who committed suicide in Mysore Friday night, the Chief Minister said: "We have a system under which the tahsildar will certify that the farmer’s suicide has happened. The government will then pay ex-gratia as per norms".