The Lok Satta Party (LSP) on Wednesday demanded that paddy purchase centers be opened on a large scale to drive away despair among farmers. In a statement, Party Working President DVVS Varma wanted the government to open atleast 2 centers per Mandal, and purchase paddy at Minimum Support Price.
Varma welcomed Union Minister Jaipal Reddy's statement that government of India would take a positive decision on export of boiled rice in a couple of days.
He recalled that the Lok Satta and Farmers' Federations laid importance on boiled rice export as rain-damaged paddy was suitable for conversion into boiled rice, which was not consumed within the state, but had a good market abroad.
Varma said that the government should permit atleast 30 lakh tons considering that the state already had stocks of 20 lakh tons of boiled rice.
Going by past experience, the exchequer will not suffer any loss in the process. He hoped that the government of India would take a step without further delay.