Centre has advised T.N. to halt incentive for paddy: Stalin

The Centre has advised the Tamil Nadu government to discontinue providing incentive for the paddy procured from farmers claiming it was leading to excessive production. The DMK, however, will not give in and none can stop it from increasing the procurement price of paddy to ₹3,500 a quintal under the Dravidian Model 2.0 government, Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin said at an Assembly election rally in Thanjavur on Friday.

“I have shocking news to share with you. Just as I returned to Chennai after campaigning in Srikazhi, Cuddalore, and Villupuram, officials showed me the letter asking us to reconsider providing the incentive [given over and above the Minimum Support Price fixed by the Centre]. Can anyone even think of this? The letter has come from the Finance Ministry headed by Nirmala Sitharaman, who claims to be from Tamil Nadu. Will AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami come forward to condemn the BJP at least for this?” Mr. Stalin asked, campaigning in support of the Secular Progressive Alliance candidates in Thanjavur district.