The farmer friendly, Telangana government is facing the ire of the chilli farmers in Khammam. The Khammam market yard witnessed riot like scene as the unidentified men ransacked the market yard and causing extensive damage to the property.
They wrecked everything that they could get hold of, including air conditioners and ceiling fans, chairs and tables, windows and doors. The farmers who brought their produce to sell in the market, got agitated and burnt the chilli crop stock upon finding that the prices have fallen extremely. In the month of march, chillies were sold at Rs. 12,500 per quintal but due to increase in supply, it is now fetching as low as Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 4,500 per quintal.
After waiting patiently for their turn in hot summer for hours, the twitchy farmers set fire to the weighing machines on the yard premises. Apart from pelting stones on market yard office, costly equipment including computers and air-conditioned room allotted for e-National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) platform were also destroyed. Fear gripped the market yard as the police tried to calm down the farmers.
A report on the incident by district collector DS Lokesh Kumar added a conspiracy angle to the incident which is being investigated and criminal cases will be registered. Chilli purchases resumed after the incident in the local market yard. District collector ordered the police not to allow politicians into the market yard. He suggested that the purchases should be completed and farmers should be given fair price.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu announced additional Rs.1,500 per quintal to every Chilli farmer, to help them cope with the low prices. However, Telangana government has not been responsive and turned a blind eye.
Responding to the incident TRS leaders including the CM termed the incident as a planned political conspiracy and artificial concern by opposition parties. Opposition leader K Jana Reddy said the episode was unfortunate, and it was high time for the government to take up relief measures. Other opposition parties including TDP and BJP attacked the TRS government for their poor governance and demanded immediate action.
