Mysuru: JD(S) working president SR Mahesh on Saturday urged the state govt to step in to support tobacco farmers facing severe hardship due to a sharp fall in prices.Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, he said a large number of farmers in five taluks of Mysuru district depend on tobacco cultivation, and the ongoing price crash has pushed many into distress.Mahesh said Mysore MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda had earlier intervened to protect the interests of tobacco growers and persuaded the Union govt to initiate measures, including facilitating tobacco exports to nearly 190 countries where Indian tobacco is in demand.While appreciating the Centre’s efforts to stabilise the market, Mahesh urged CM Siddaramaiah to take immediate steps to safeguard farmers in his home district. He demanded that the state provide an incentive of Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg of tobacco purchased and direct the Indian Tobacco Company to procure the crop grown in the region.Pointing to rising distress, Mahesh said some tobacco growers, unable to cope with losses, had attempted suicide in Periyapatna and Hunsur taluks. He appealed to govt to act swiftly to prevent further tragedies.Hunsur MLA GD Harishgowda said Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy met Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Friday and appealed for urgent intervention. Tobacco prices are expected to stabilise in the auction market from Monday, he said. At Friday’s auction, prices saw an increase of Rs 10 to Rs 20 per kg, he added.JD(S) functionaries also demanded that state govt crack down on black marketing of LPG cylinders and take strict action against hoarders.
