The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Minister. You have provided useful clarifications and data. However, farmers in our area face serious issues. They say importing equivalents when other varieties are sufficient—except Keeri Samba—adversely affects them. Please consider this in future. Also, millers and traders purchase Keeri Samba paddy at lower prices, stockpile, and later sell rice at higher prices. Even today supermarkets say Keeri is unavailable on the shelf, yet at the counter they will bill Keeri at higher prices without displaying it. Please ensure proper availability and address this practice. Year after year governments allocate billions for farmers, yet progress is lacking; official price setting for paddy is often delayed (e.g., Northern and Eastern harvests begin in January but prices are set in February), causing harm. If farmers are not harmed, adequate national production can be achieved. Please make arrangements accordingly.