Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who is currently camping in US held a teleconference with the officials here on purchase of chillies. The Chief Minister had directed the officials to open three more centers in the State to procure the chillies from the farmers in the next two days.

He had directed the officials to open procurement centres at Kurnool, Ongole and Chilakaluripet and keep the markets open even on Saturday and Sunday. He wanted the officials to create confidence among the farmers and ensure that the last bag with the farmers is also procured. He wanted the officials to provide additional wages to the workers at the markets.

Chandrababu Naidu inquired about the support price guaranteed to the farmers and asked them to provide Rs 8,000 a quintal. The officials briefed the Chief Minister that they were paying additional Rs 1500 per quintal and have planned to procure 20 quintals in the next two days. The Chief Minister directed the officials to prevent rush of the farmers at the market yards and wanted the officials to streamline them to prevent crowded.