Andhra CM Naidu seeks Rs 150 crore from Centre to buy 20 million kg of HD Burley tobacco
The Chief Minister specifically requested Rs 150 crore from the Tobacco Board to facilitate tobacco procurement, noting that the State is spending Rs 300 crore to purchase 20 million kg of HD Burley tobacco due to slump in market prices.
He urged the Tobacco Board to cover half of this expenditure to ease the State's financial burden, and support tobacco farmers.
Naidu highlighted that seven procurement centres have been set up in Bapatla, Guntur, Palnadu and Prakasam districts to streamline the tobacco purchases. He also proposed amending laws to regulate tobacco production, and marketing through the Tobacco Board.
The Chief Minister raised concern over the 10% import duty on palm oil, which has lowered prices, and hurt Andhra Pradesh's oil palm farmers. He urged Goyal to reconsider this decision, emphasising its conflict with the National Mission on Edible Oils' goals, and its adverse impact on farmers' incomes.
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