Karnataka Minister Urges Swift Resumption of Tobacco Auction in Mysuru
Senior minister K Venkatesh on Monday called upon the Mysuru district administration to ensure the prompt resumption of the tobacco auction, which has been stalled for a week. Venkatesh, who represents the Periyapatna Assembly segment where tobacco serves as the primary commercial crop, emphasized the urgency of restarting procurement to mitigate ongoing losses for farmers.
Procurement Halt Due to GST Hike
The procurement process was halted following a recent GST increase on cigarettes, which subsequently led to a reduction in tobacco prices. In a meeting with Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikanth Reddy, Venkatesh instructed officials to crack the whip and expedite the restart of procurement activities. He specifically directed the restoration of earlier rates to prevent further financial setbacks for cultivators.
Key Stakeholders and Farmer Reactions
The meeting was attended by prominent figures including Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, Hunsur MLA GD Harish Gowda, KR Nagar MLA D Ravishankar, and former Hunsur MLA H P Manjunath. It also witnessed intense reactions from farmers, who expressed deep frustration over the sudden decline in tobacco prices. Growers pointed out that this season's production was lower than the government-sanctioned quota, which under normal circumstances should have resulted in better prices. Instead, they are grappling with a sharp market downturn.
Disparities and Accusations
Farmers highlighted a significant disparity, noting that their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh are receiving considerably higher rates, placing Karnataka cultivators at a distinct disadvantage. Manjunath accused the Tobacco Board of failing to safeguard farmers' interests, calling for more robust protective measures.
Seeking Long-Term Solutions
In response to the crisis, Wadiyar announced that a delegation would approach the Union government to seek a lasting solution. He revealed that he had already met with the Union commerce secretary alongside MPs from Andhra Pradesh to advocate for fair pricing mechanisms. The meeting also included ZP CEO S. Yukesh Kumar and superintendent of police Mallikarjun Baladandi, underscoring the multi-faceted approach to addressing the issue.
The collective efforts aim to stabilize the tobacco market and ensure equitable treatment for Karnataka's agricultural community amidst ongoing economic challenges.
