Jagan Mohan Reddy Criticizes Naidu Over Falling Tobacco Prices

YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the Devarapalli tobacco auction centre on August 5 to interact with farmers facing severe financial distress. During the visit, Reddy accused the NDA coalition government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, of apathy and collaborating with a corporate syndicate to manipulate market prices.

Reddy claimed that tobacco procurement prices have plummeted from Rs 289 per kg during the YSRCP term to an average of Rs 220 per kg, with some farmers receiving as low as Rs 170 per kg. This contradicts assertions by the Naidu government that tobacco would not be bought for less than Rs 200 per kg. Reddy further alleged that the government removed zero per cent interest loans for farmers and cited the suicide of a farmer, Venkateswar Rao, as evidence of the administration's failure.

The YSRCP criticized the Indian Tobacco Board for allegedly reneging on procurement promises and failing to upload auction data for ten days. To resolve the crisis, Reddy demanded that the government utilize Markfed as a buyer to increase market competition and prevent farmers from being forced into distress sales.