Latest news with #PSMasilamani


New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Procure mango at Rs 20/kg, ryots urge Tamil Nadu government
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated with the CPI, has urged the state government to immediately intervene and procure mangoes at Rs 20 per kg, including subsidy, to safeguard mango farmers who are facing distress due to falling prices. In a statement, the association's general secretary P S Masilamani said that due to a bumper harvest this year and lack of institutional procurement, mango prices have plummeted below Rs 4 per kg, forcing many farmers to dump their produce on roads or leave the fruits to rot on trees. With mango pulp factories largely run by private players and an oversupply across southern states, farmers are unable to get fair prices. Masilamani pointed out that the Andhra Pradesh government has begun procuring mangoes at Rs 12/kg, with an additional Rs 4/kg subsidy. He called on the state government to follow suit by involving the agricultural marketing department, setting up cold storage units, and eventually establishing state-run mango pulp factories to ensure price stability for growers.


New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
CPI-backed farmers union unhappy over Tamil Nadu govt's paddy MSP
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, affiliated to the CPI, a DMK ally, has expressed disappointment over the state government's recent announcement of incentive above the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy procurement. In a joint statement, the association's president S Gunasekaran and general secretary and former MLA P S Masilamani, said the incentive announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin on June 12 fell short of expectations of the farmers. The statement recalled that at a government function in Salem, Stalin had announced that for the 2025 procurement season, Grade A paddy will be bought at Rs 2,545 per quintal (including Rs 156 as an incentive), while common variety will be procured at Rs 2,500 (including Rs 131 incentive). The association said this contradicted the DMK's 2021 poll promise to offer Rs 2,500 per quintal as the base price, not inclusive of incentives. With input costs rising and other states like Chhattisgarh offering up to Rs 3,120 per quintal, the association urged the CM to raise the procurement price to at least Rs 3,000 per quintal.