Latest news with #KinjarapuAtchannaidu
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kadapa, Kamalapuram constituencies ‘painted yellow' for the three-day TDP State-level Mahanadu beginning on May 27
Ahead of the Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) three-day State level jamboree 'Mahanadu 2025', begining on May 27, the contiguous constituencies of Kadapa and Kamalapuram appear painted yellow, the colour representing the TDP's flag. Flags and festoons flutter high and high-rise cutouts have made their presence quite conspicuous at the Pabbapuram venue in Chintakommadinne mandal of Kadapa district. In view of the venue's location close to the bypass road, traffic disruption in the city is expected to be minimal. The TDP district machinery has made elaborate arrangements for the leaders and functionaries to reach the sprawling venue through five routes. Five entry points are fixed at Pulivendula road point, Kamalapuram – Tadipatri road point, Mydukur-Kurnool road point, Siddavatam – Badvel road point and CK Dinne – Rajampet road (RIMS) point, from where signboards are arranged till the venue. More than a dozen Ministers and party coordinators are in town, working out last minute arrangements to eliminate hiccups and make the event a grand success. The road leading from Kadapa airport to the venue, considered crucial in terms of traffic movement, has been thoroughly barricaded and kept in ideal condition to ensure smooth movement of the VVIP crowd. Ministers Ponguru Narayana (Municipal Administration), Kinjarapu Atchannaidu (Agriculture), Anam Ramanarayana Reddy (Endowments), Kollu Ravindra (Excise), Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy (Transport and Youth Affairs), Gummadi Sandhya Rani (Women and Child Welfare), Anagani Satya Prasad (Revenue), B.C. Janardhan Reddy (Roads and Buildings) are already camping in Kadapa to review the arrangements. Similarly, party State president Palla Srinivas, MLCs Beeda Ravichandra, Bhoomireddy Ramagopal Reddy, former MLC Manthena Satyanarayana Raju are also busy monitoring the various tasks entrusted to the committees. On the security front, Director-General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, Inspector-General (Operations) Ch. Srikanth and Deputy Inspector-General (Kurnool range) Koya Praveen have stayed put in Kadapa to keep a hawk's eye on the venue. Demand for buses In view of the shortage of hotel rooms in the city, which was found to be grossly inadequate to meet the inflow of party functionaries for the three-day meet, the demand for private buses has seen a sudden jump. This is apparently in tune with the decision of the party leadership to accommodate several of its members in places outside Kadapa, but within a travelling time of one hour to the venue. The places identified are Proddatur, Mydukur, Badvel, Pulivendula, Rajampeta etc. As the distance grew, the sudden need for buses was felt at the last minute and the leaders are busy mobilising around 100 buses for the event.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Agriculture Minister promises procurement of total tobacco stock from farmers
GUNTUR: Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Saturday assured that the government would support Black Burley tobacco farmers until every leaf is procured. He made the statement during a meeting with farmers and company representatives at the Parchur MLA's camp office. The Minister announced that procurement will follow a two-grade system, Rs 12,000 per quintal for the common variety and Rs 6,000 for the low grade. 'Despite global market fluctuations, companies must follow these fixed rates,' he said. The government will bear processing costs and may initiate direct procurement through Markfed if necessary. Atchannaidu criticised companies for neglecting farmers' concerns and warned against delays. He said six sub-committees will oversee procurement, and staff support will be provided to companies. Of the targeted 25 million kg, farmers produced 75 million kg, causing a crisis amid declining international demand. Energy Minister G Ravi Kumar said, 'The government promoted this crop with company backing and must now ensure full procurement.' He cautioned against farmer suicides and confirmed that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the situation. Special Chief Secretary B Rajasekhar confirmed that all stock would be procured at fair prices. District Collector J. Venkata Murali pledged constant monitoring.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Govt pledges full support for Black Burley tobacco farmers
Parchur: The minister for agriculture, cooperation, and marketing, KinjarapuAtchannaidu, assured comprehensive support to Black Burley tobacco farmers and promised to purchase their entire crop down to the last leaf. Atahcannaidu, energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, and Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambabsiva Rao participated in a face-to-face meeting with the Black Burley tobacco farmers, state-level officers, and representatives of companies at the Parchur MLA's camp office in Isukadarsi on Saturday. Following extensive discussions, the Atchannaidu announced an action plan for Black Burley tobacco procurement. The government has decided to purchase the crop in two grades, common variety at Rs 12,000 per quintal and low-grade variety at Rs 6,000 per quintal. Despite fluctuations in international market prices, companies have been instructed to maintain these fixed rates. The government has guaranteed to bear the processing costs for tobacco procurement and announced that if necessary, MARKFED will initiate Black Burley tobacco purchases. The government established six sub-committees to oversee the procurement process, ensuring that every last leaf of the farmers' produce is purchased. The minister emphasised that the government will work with complete sincerity to rescue farmers from the current crisis. He warned companies against making false promises and demanded clear commitments to benefit farmers. The Minister said that while the target was to cultivate 25 million kilograms of tobacco, farmers have currently grown 75 million kilograms, creating a surplus that has contributed to the crisis due to reduced international demand. Minister Gottipathi Ravi Kumar explained that farmers cultivated Black Burley tobacco with company encouragement, and now the government will ensure purchases until the last leaf. The Minister stressed that suicide should not be an option, and such thoughts should not enter farmers' minds. Special Chief Secretary of the Agriculture Department B Rajasekhar assured that the government will protect farmers in crisis and take measures to ensure companies purchase every last kilogram of tobacco. District collector J Venkata Murali confirmed that the government has made decisions favouring tobacco farmers and will continuously monitor the procurement process and price implementation. Parchuru MLA EluriSambasiva Rao called for government action to support farmers in crisis and explained the policies being implemented. Farmers from various areas, including Inkolu, Duddukuru, J Panguluru, and other mandals, requested the implementation of minimum support prices, citing severe losses from Black Burley tobacco cultivation. Agriculture Commissioner Dilli Rao, Tobacco Board Chairman Yaswant, Warehousing Corporation MD Suresh, Santanuthalapadu MLA BN Vijay Kumar, district agriculture officer Ramakrishna, and representatives from 20 companies, farmer organisation leaders and other stakeholders were present.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
A.P. government mandates procurement of Burley tobacco at ₹12,000 per quintal
After deliberations Andhra Pradesh Government has mandated the tobacco companies to procure Burley tobacco from the farmers in the State at ₹12,000 for quintal for Grade A and ₹5,400 for quintal for Grade B. The Grade A consists of all kinds of qualities while the Grade B is the least quality. Minister for Agriculture Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, after a meeting at the camp office of Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao near here on Saturday (May 24), directed the companies to start purchasing the produce from Sunday. The members of Cabinet Sub-Committee on agriculture prices, including Mr. Atchanniadu and Gottipati Ravi Kumar, held the meeting with all the stakeholders, including tobacco growers, farmers associations, companies representatives, officials from Indian Tobacco Board and others. Minister Atchannaidu maintained that the companies should not return the tobacco on pretexts like quality or others, but must purchase the entire tobacco produced in Andhra Pradesh, estimated about 70 million Kgs. He also assured that the State government would support the farming community and companies by extending financial assistance for processing the Burley tobacco. The State government have to spend for proccessing at least ₹17 per Kg of Burley tobacco and had allocated ₹200 crore for that purpose. Once the tobacco is processed properly, then it could be stored for more than one year and the companies could utilize the produce in the next year as well. On the other hand, the Minister informed that the government is also willing to support the companies by deploying the staff from Agriculture and A.P. Markfed, if they need extra staff in procuring the tobacco. At the same time, he added that the State government would procure the tobacco from the farmers through A.P. Markfed, if needed, at the end of the season. The Minister for Agriculture urged the companies to procure the entire produce from the farmers, as the tobacco purchased by A.P. Markfed would have to be sold to the same companies. He assured the farmers that the State government had taken the issue very seriously and would monitor the entire procurement process, till the sale of the last Kg. He also said that the State government would promote alternative crops in the ensuing agriculture year, which would reduce the supply of the Burley tobacco in the market next year. Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said that both government and companies should protect the lives of the farmers. He observed that the companies enjoyed the profits so far and it is the time for them to come to the aid of the farmers when the entire farming community is in distress. Chairman of Tobacco Board of India Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu said that the Board extended support to the farmers, despite the fact that the Board did not have a mandate with respect to the Burley tobacco.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
15% growth targeted in agriculture, allied sectors from Kharif
Secretariat (Velgapudi): With the monsoon season fast approaching, the State government is setting a target of achieving 15 per cent growth rate in agriculture and allied sectors, beginning with the upcoming Kharif season. Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu emphasised the need for full preparedness and vigilance from all departments to realize this goal. In a video conference held from Velagapudi Secretariat on Wednesday, Minister Naidu issued a series of directives to mandal-level officials from agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, animal husbandry, and cooperation departments across the state. He told the officials to implement the formulated action plan aimed at enhancing gross value addition across various agriculture and allied sectors during this Kharif season. The officials should encourage farmers to shift from traditional crops to more lucrative horticultural crops. Efforts will be made to not only increase agricultural produce and yields, but also ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce through coordination with procurement agencies and the establishment of robust market facilities. The Minister for a strong focus to be placed on promoting natural farming practices to reduce the state's reliance on chemical fertilisers. The Minister specifically instructed Cooperation Commissioner Babu A to facilitate loans for tenant farmers holding CCRC (Cultivator Certificate Rights Card) cards. He instructed the officials to conduct extensive inspections to prevent the sale of spurious seeds in the market, protecting farmers from economic losses. Officials are also tasked with promoting the cultivation of fine rice varieties and ensuring the selection and supply of region-specific local rice varieties. The video conference saw the participation of key officials including State Agricultural Mission Vice-chairman Srinivasulu Reddy, AP Seeds Chairman Subba Reddy, Special Secretary for Agriculture & Cooperation Budithi Rajasekhar, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha EVC Vijayakumar, Director of Agriculture Dilli Rao, Cooperation Commissioner Babu A, Director of Horticulture Srinivasulu, Marketing Commissioner Vijayasunita, Director of Fisheries Naik, and AP COB MD from the Secretariat.
