Nagpur, 11 Dec (HS): Not satisfied by the reply by Marketing Minister Jaikumar

Rawal on delay in opening government cotton procurement centres and minimum

support price for soyabean, the Opposition members in the Legislative Assembly staged

a walkout in protest.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised the issue of

precarious condition of farmers. The cotton is not being purchased due conditions

imposed by the CCI, and limit for purchase of cotton. Wadittiwar also said that

the import tax on cotton has been reduced from 12 per cent to zero, which

directly affects the prices of local cotton, At the same time soyabean is not

being procured at the specified rate of Rs 5,300 per quintal at the government procurement

centres.

About 80 per cent of cotton and 70 per cent of

soyabean are refused to be accepted by the procurement centres, Wadittiwal

alleged. Whether the state government will pursue the problems of the cotton

and soyabean growers with the Centre, he asked.

Speaker Rahul Narvekar directed the treasury benches to

convene a meeting on Thursday to sort out the problems.

The Opposition members entered the Well of the House

and raised slogans against the ruling alliance labelling them ani-farmers. Not

satisfied with the replies by Rawal, the Opposition staged a walkout.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar