JVP demands guaranteed purchasing price for paddy

Thursday, 11 August 2016 00:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

JVP North Western Provincial Council Member Namal Karunaratne addressing Paddy Marketing Board officers as a group of farmers looks on

By Chamodi Gunawardana

A group of farmers from 12 districts including Hambantota, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala yesterday, led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), met officers of the Paddy Marketing Board and demanded their harvest be purchased for a guaranteed price.

JVP North Western Provincial Council Member Namal Karunaratne claimed the Government purchasing price of one kilo of paddy, which should be between Rs.38 to Rs.41, has not been implemented, with prices dropping to about Rs.27 in those districts.

After meeting heads of the Paddy Marketing Board, farmers argued that paddy purchasing should be carried out only at the guaranteed purchasing price and that otherwise it will be a violation of the Paddy Marketing Board act.

Karunaratne charged that buying paddy for lower prices than the minimum purchasing price and also purchasing of paddy by unregistered buyers was illegal.

He further claimed Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanyake, Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison and the Chairman of the board had not paid attention to farmers’ demands so far.

Karunaratne added the Chairman has refused to meet farmers on Tuesday even though they have informed him previously about the discussion.