Cancel order against paddy incentive, M Karunanidhi to Centre

CHENNAI: DMK president M Karunanidhi todaydemanded that the Union government withdraw an order which allegedly bars state governments from providing incentive for procuring paddy.

"Farmers of the Cauvery Delta region have begun a stir,shocked by an order of the Centre that bars incentive for procuring paddy," he said in a statement adding the ryots wanted the diktat rescinded.

Referring to the Food Ministry's order, he said the new rule would come into force during the paddy procurement season which begins in October (2014-15).

Though the Centre gives Minimum Support Price (MSP) for foodgrains like paddy and wheat, some States like Tamil Nadu had been giving incentive over and above the MSP to support farmers, he noted.

Urging the Centre to not incur the wrath of farmers, he said ryots should not be burdened by halting incentive who are facing travails from multiple fronts.

"The State government has not spelt out its stance on this livelihood issue of the farmers," he alleged.