Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Fall In Prices Of Chillies In Tamil Nadu And Andhra Pradesh Causing ... on 11 May, 2005
> Title: Regarding fall in prices of chillies in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh causing hardship to the chilli growers and steps taken by the Government in regard thereto.
12.07 hrs. CALLING ATTENTION TO MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Situation arising out of fall in price of Chillies in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh Causing hardship to the Chilli growers and steps taken by the Government in regard thereto DR. BABU RAO MEDIYAM (BHADRACHALAM): Sir, I call the attention of the Minister of Agriculture to the following matter of urgent public importance and request that he may make a statement thereon:
“The situation arising out of fall in price of Chillies in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh causing hardship to the Chilli growers and steps taken by the Government in regard thereto. ” कृषि मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री तथा उपभोक्ता मामले, खाद्य एवं सार्वजनिक वितरण मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री कांतिलाल भूरिया) :माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय संसद सदस्य ने आंध्रा प्रदेश और तमिलनाडु में मिर्च के मूल्यों में गिरावट के प्रति अपनी चिंता व्यक्त की है तथा इस सबंध में केन्द्र सरकार का ध्यान आकर्षित किया है।
कृषि एवं सहकारिता विभाग द्वारा एक मंडी हस्तक्षेप स्कीम चलाई जा रही है, जिसका उद्देश्य अत्यधिक फसल उत्पादन की स्थिति में, जब मूल्यों में भारी गिरावट आ जाती है, तब किसानों को संकटकालीन बिक्री से बचाना है। यह स्कीम मिर्च सहित, बागवानी एवं नाशवान कृषि जिंसों, जो मूल्य समर्थन स्कीम (पीएसएस) के तहत शामिल नहीं है, की अधिप्राप्ति के लिए राज्य सरकार के अनुरोध पर क्रियान्वित की जाती है।
आंध्रा प्रदेश सरकार के अनुरोध पर प्रीमियम क्वालिटी के लिए २७०० रु० प्रति क्िंवटल तथा मिर्च की सामान्य क्वालिटी के लिए २५०० रु० प्रति क्िंवटल के प्रति मंडी हस्तक्षेप मूल्य पर २३.३.२००५ से ३१.५.२००५ तक ३०,००० मी.टन मिर्च हस्तक्षेप स्कीम को मंजूरी दी गई है। इसमें ५,००० मी.टन प्रीमियम क्वालिटी तथा २५,००० मी.टन सामान्य क्वालिटी शामिल है।
* (Placed in Library. See No. LT 2240/05).
मंडी हस्तक्षेप स्कीम के तहत मिर्च की खरीद के लिए तमिलनाडु सरकार से अब तक कोई भी प्रस्ताव प्राप्त नहीं हुआ है। मंडी हस्तक्षेप स्कीम के तहत मिर्च उत्पादकों के हितों पर ध्यान दिया जा रहा है। आंध्रा प्रदेश में मिर्च की खरीद का काम मिर्च उत्पादकों के लिए मंडी हस्तक्षेप स्कीम मूल्यों पर ही चल रहा है। अगर तमिलनाडु सरकार मिर्च की खरीद के लिए अपना प्रस्ताव भेजती है, तो हम उसे तुरंत मंजूरी देंगे ताकि किसानों के हितों का संरक्षण हो स्ÉBÉEä[p2] ।
DR. BABU RAO MEDIYAM : Sir, I have gone through the statement made by the MOS in the Ministry of Agriculture. His reply is misleading and contained no facts.
Chillies is a major commercial crop of our State, Andhra Pradesh. This is almost the second commercial crop, which is grown in Andhra Pradesh and other States. The actual position at the ground level is, there are about 2.5 lakhs of farmers growing chillies in my State. They are mainly growing in Guntur, Khammam, Warangal, and to some extent, Krishna and Nalgonda districts. They were at the middle of the season. The season starts from 1st February and ends by 15th June. They were happy at the beginning of the seasons because of two causes. Firstly, they were happy because this year they were able to produce more yields per acre. This year, they produced about 15 to 20 quintals per acre. They were happy because of this reason.
The second cause is that the National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government has promised some remunerative price for chillies. In the first part, they were happy; and in the second part, they have in anger; they were in discontent and despair. When they went to the market, to their utter despair, there were no buyers in the markets. The MARKFED, which is a subsidiary of NAFED, is almost sleeping. It has forgotten its prime duty. The prime duty of the MARKFED and NAFED is to buy or procure the chillies and other perishable commodities from the local markets and trade them in the national market. As far as MARKFED is concerned, in Andhra Pradesh, it is almost in a sleeping state. It is not at all working; it is not at all attending to the markets where trading and purchasing are going on.
On the other side, three months of the season have lapsed. But there was no mention of minimum support price. The Government has stated in the answer that the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has approved the implementation of the Market Intervention Scheme for 30,000 MT of chillies at the rate of Rs.2,500 to Rs.2,700 from 23.3.05 to 31.5.05. It is mentioned in the statement. But, it is not true. A few days back, this was announced. This year, the crop was sold for a meagre amount, that is, up to Rs.1,300 to Rs,1,400 per quintal. At the same time, last year, it was sold at about Rs.2,300 to Rs.2,700. Farmers are losing heavily. Out of discontent and despair, now, farmers in other districts like Guntur, Khammam and Warangal are burning their own produce and claiming that the Government is not looking at their needs and that they are in a pathetic state.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, put your question.
DR. BABU RAO MEDIYAM : Yes, Sir. I am coming to the question.
I want to know from the hon. Minister as to why so much of time was taken to announce the minimum support price of Rs.2,500 to Rs.2,700. Already, three months have lapsed and only one month is remaining. Who will bear the losses incurred by the farmers in these three months? Private traders bought this at a cheaper price and they were given opportunity by following the delaying tactics. MARKFED and NAFED have given an opportunity to private traders to loot the farmers. My question is this. Why so much delay to announce the minimum support price by the Department?
MR. SPEAKER: Very good.
DR. BABU RAO MEDIYAM : Sir, in the Market Intervention Scheme, previously, when the NDA Government was in office, 50 per cent of the charges were borne by the Central Government and 50 per cent by the State Governments. Now, the Andhra Pradesh Government has requested the Central Government to follow the same ratio. But, it was stated in the letter that the Central Government would be able to bear only 25 per cent of the cost[R3] .
The Centre has to bear remaining 75 per cent. It was not given clearly in the answer. I want to know, what is the share of the Central Government in regard to Market Intervention Scheme? As we all know, Mirchi or chillies are highly exportable item. Nowadays, there is a lot of demand for chillies in USA, Sri Lanka and South Africa. We can market this. Why can the Government not explore this international market for export of chillies and thereby help the farmers?
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Bellarmin – Not present.
SHRI P. MOHAN (MADURAI): Sir, the hon. Minister in his reply has stated that no proposal has come from the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is unfortunate that the Tamil Nadu Government is unsympathetic towards small and poor farmers. In Tamil Nadu, nearly one lakh chillie farmers were affected. Last year, farmers were getting Rs.4,000 per quintal and this year, they are getting only Rs.800 per quintal. This situation in Tamil Nadu is due to middlemen. In this connection, I would like to know from the hon. Minister whether the Government will evolve a national policy to procure directly through the FCI units to help the small farmers in several parts of the country. Whenever such a crisis occurs, farmers growing chillie and other perishable commodities like potatoes and tomatoes need the Central intervention. Will the Centre take note of it in the light of the indifferent attitude of the State Governments like Tamil Nadu?
SHRI M. APPADURAI (TENKASI): Farmers who ensure bumper crops through their best of efforts must be rewarded. But, they are punished by the traders and also by the Government. In Tamil Nadu, even low key market intervention price is not available. Will the Centre take into consideration the minimum open market price while fixing the price? Will the Government also establish a chillie oil manufacturing unit to help the small farmers who grow chillies?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI (BAPATLA): As we all know, India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of chillies. … (Interruptions)
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU (SRIKAKULAM): Sir, I have also given a notice to speak. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Sorry, very late.
… (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI : Chillie is not only valued as a vegetable or a spice but it is also valued for its diverse commercial use. Globally, chillies are highly sought after because of the by-products like, powder, deoresin, chillie paste, capsaicin etc. Chilly extracts also have great medicinal use. Capsaicin, a chilli extract is used as an anti-cancerous drug. It is also used in instant pain relieving balms like Amrutanjan and Tiger Balm. Capsicum pigment is also incorporated in chicken feed to add red colour to the meat. In other words, this meat is highly valued.
MR. SPEAKER: I admire your knowledge. What is your question?
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI : My colleague Shri Babu Rao talked of the market intervention scheme. Unfortunately, chillie which is of great importance, does not have minimum support price. We only have a Market Intervention Scheme which is existing. As per the scheme, prior to July 2001, 50 per cent of the capital as well as 50 per cent of the losses were borne by the Central and the State Governments. It was amended after July 2001. Now, 25 per cent of the losses are limited to the Central Government and 75 per cent is to be borne by the State Government. NAFED has clearly stated that losses are anywhere between 40 per cent to 80 per cent taking the last ten years into consideration. They have backed out of market and today the State has to provide the entire capital[p4] .
It is becoming burdensome on the States. The Agriculture Minister has taken a very sympathetic look towards this. He has forwarded this to the Finance Minister also wherein he has requested that the percentage be increased.
MR. SPEAKER: You put your question.
SHRIMATI D. PURANDESWARI : I would request the hon. Agriculture Minister to kindly use his office to impress upon the Finance Minister to see that the investment is increased from the Government.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Yerrannaidu, you just put your question; no preface please.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I raised the same issue many times on the floor of the House.
MR. SPEAKER: Yes, very well. Now, put your question.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : The ground reality even now is that the farmers are burning their crops.
MR. SPEAKER: This has been said, please do not repeat.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : But, Sir, I want to raise this issue. The previous NDA Government had intervened. They had provided fifty per cent from the Government of India. The other fifty per cent was coming from the State Government. The NAFED and the MARKFED intervened to purchase chillies in the first year. But, in this year, the Government of India and the State Government have failed. Even though the State Government repeatedly requested the Government of India to bear fifty per cent, they have not intervened to protect the chilli farmers. Why have they not intervened?
MR. SPEAKER: It is the same question. Yes, now the hon. Minister. I won’t allow more.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: No, I won’t allow you any more.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : Sir, I totally agree… MR. SPEAKER: This is not fair Yerrannaiduji. You want to repeat the same question. You had not given notice. You gave notice just before… … (Interruptions)
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : But, it is an agony of the chilli farmers in Andhra Pradesh… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I have given you full opportunity.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : But, Sir, this is a major issue in Andhra Pradesh. That is why… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You did not give notice. I think you gave it at 1154 hours.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : I would say that, even now, the Government of India should intervene in the market… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is not the way. It is the same thing.
SHRI KINJARAPU YERRANNAIDU : The Government of India should intervene in the market and they have to purchase… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing more. Yes the hon. Minister.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Naidu, you please co-operate.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: It will not be recorded.
(Interruptions) …* श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार (चायल) : अध्यक्ष महोदय, हमने नोटिस दिया है। केवल एक प्रश्न पूछने दें। ...( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : नहीं, आप बैठ जाइए।
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Shailendra Kumar, it will not be recorded.
(Interruptions) …* MR. SPEAKER: Yes, the hon. Minister.
कृषि मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री तथा उपभोक्ता मामले, खाद्य एवं सार्वजनिक वितरण मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री कांतिलाल भूरिया) : माननीय अध्यक्ष महोदय, माननीय सदस्यों ने कई मुद्दों पर अपनी चिन्ता यहां ज़ाहिर की है और मैंने अपने वक्तव्य में सारी स्थिति स्पष्ट कर दी है। किसानों के प्रति काफी संकल्पित तरीके से हमारी यूपीए सरकार ने काम किया है। किसानों को उनके उत्पादन की सही कीमत मिले, इसके मैं इस सदन में स्पष्ट शब्दों में कहना चाहता हूं कि इस वर्ष अभी तक आंध्रा प्रदेश और तमिलनाडु में १२ करोड़ रुपये की लागत से ४२२७ किसानों ने फसल बेची है, जिसमें ३८५० मीटि्रक टन की खरीद हुई है। राज्य सरकारें और केन्द्र सरकार की जो भागीदारी है, उसमें २५ प्रतिशत घाटे तक ५० प्रतिशत राज्य * Not Recorded.
लिए सरकार बनते ही हमारे माननीय प्रधान मंत्री जी और यूपीए की अध्यक्षा, श्रीमती सोनिया गांधी जी ने इसको प्रथामिकता देने के निर्देश दिये। उसी के मुताबिक शासन ने समय-समय पर राज्यों को इस बात के लिए हिदायत भी दी और उचित समय पर हमने उचित न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य निर्धारित किये जिसके आधार पर सरकारें अपने स्तर पर ये सारी खरीद करती हैं। जिस तरह से माननीय सदस्यों ने यहां पर बात रखी है, सरकारें वहन करती हैं और ५० प्रतिशत केन्द्र सरकार वहन करती है। दोनों मिलकर इस कारोबार को चलाती हैं। इसके लिए सरकार पूरी तरह से तैयार है। साथ ही, माननीय सदस्य ने इस बात की चिन्ता ज़ाहिर की है कि यहां खरीद नहीं की जा रही है। उसके लिए अभी ३१.५.२००५ तक तारीख को आगे बढ़ाया जा रहा है जिससे व्यापारियों द्वारा जो कम कीमत पर खरीदने का अभियान चला, उसके बाद से सरकार पूरी तरह से चिन्तित है और जागरूक है और हम उस पर काम करने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं। आंध्रा प्रदेश सरकार के प्रस्ताव को बहुत जल्दी मंजूर किया जा रहा है। ...( व्यवधान)
DR. M. JAGANNATH (NAGAR KURNOOL): Sir, it is already late… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded.
(Interruptions) … * श्री कांतिलाल भूरिया : जिस तरह से माननीय सदस्यों ने चिन्ता ज़ाहिर की है, मैं उसे बताना चाहता हूं। जैसे-जैसे राज्य सरकारों ने जो प्रस्ताव भेजे हैं, केन्द्र सरकार तुरंत उन पर कार्रवाई करती cè[h5] । उसमें किसी प्रकार की ढिलाई या देरी करने का कोई प्रश्न नहीं उठता है । जहां तक मिर्ची की खरीद की बात है उसमें जो नाशवान जींस होते हैं उनको सरकार अपने स्तर पर खरीदती है और जो खाद्यान्न की चीजें हैं, जो न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य होता है, उनमें खाद्य सुरक्षा के लिए जरूरी है कि उसके अंतर्गत भारत का बहुत बड़ा भाग कवर हो । जो जींस नाशवान नहीं होते हैं, उन चीजों पर गारंटी दी जाती है । जो नाशवान चीजें हैं उन पर केंद्र सरकार निर्णय नहीं लेती है । उन चीजों को राज्य सरकार नाफेड के तहत देखती है । जैसे ही मिर्ची खरीदने की जरूरत पड़ेगी, उसके लिए केंद्र सरकार तैयार है । इसमें जो घाटा होगा उसका ५० प्रतिशत सहन करने के लिए केंद्र सरकार तैयार है । आंध्रा प्रदेश सरकार का प्रस्ताव सिफारिश करके वित्त मंत्रालय को भेज दिया गया है ताकि उस पर जल्दी निर्णय ले कर उस पर कार्यवाही हो सके ।
श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार (चायल) : अध्यक्ष जी, कृषि को उद्योग का दर्जा नहीं दिया गया है ।…( व्यवधान)
* Not Recorded.
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded. As you know, Shri Shailendra Kumar, nothing will be recorded.
(Interruptions) …* MR. SPEAKER: There are some rules and procedures that we have to follow. You know them very well.
I am trying to find out from the Minister. Mr. Minister, they are making a grievance that a quantity of 50 per cent purchase should be made and you are making only 25 per cent. Is there any proposal to consider having 50 per cent purchase? They are making this grievance.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Nothing will be recorded. I am trying to help out all of you.
… (Interruptions)
श्री कांतिलाल भूरिया : अध्यक्ष महोदय, केंद्र सरकार और राज्य सरकार के बीच में जो नाशवान जींस होते हैं, उन पर ५० परसेंट घाटा केंद्र सरकार और ५० परसेंट घाटा राज्य सरकार वहन करती है ।
MR. SPEAKER: Very good.
Now, let us go to item no. 17, Shri Baalu to introduce a Bill.
_________ * Not Recorded.