Centre approves buying of red chillies under MIS

NEW DELHI: The Centre has come to the rescue of distressed chilli farmers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who were forced to sell their agricultural produce at throwaway prices.

After rounds of discussion between Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, the Centre has finally decided to procure red chillies under the market intervention scheme (MIS) during 2017 season.

According to the government order, the market intervention scheme will remain in force until the end of this month starting from May 2 and a maximum quantity of 88,300 MTS of red chilli in Andhra Pradesh and 33,700 MTS in Telangana would be procured under the scheme by the state agencies.

“The MIS will be Rs 5,000 per quintal of red chilli with the overhead expenses of Rs 1,250 per quintal,” the release said.

Commenting on the decision, Naidu said that he was happy that with this decision of the Centre farmers will not resort to distress sale at astronomically lower prices. The UD Minister also hoped that states would immediately swing into action and provide succour to the agitating chilli farmers.

On the decision, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that the Centre is always ready to address the grievances of farmers in distress. NEW DELHI: On the World Press Freedom Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed unwavering support to the freedom of the media, saying it is essential in democracy.

“World Press Freedom Day is a day to reiterate our unwavering support towards a free & vibrant press, which is vital in a democracy,” he said in a tweet.

“In today’s day & age, social media has emerged as an active medium of engagement & has added more vigour to press freedom,” the prime minister said.

World Press Freedom Day is observed to celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom.