Karnataka urges Centre to halt maize imports as prices crash
Bengaluru/Mysuru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Friday stepped up pressure on the Centre to halt maize imports and immediately commence central procurement.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that farmers were in deep distress due to a sharp fall in market prices despite a bumper harvest.
Speaking to reporters at the Mysuru airport, the CM said, "The state would provide all kinds of assistance to farmers who are in distress due to the fall in maize prices."
He noted that although the Centre had fixed the MSP for maize at Rs 2,400 per quintal, procurement centres had not yet opened.
"Farmers are insisting that the procurement process be started," he said.
Citing concerns over the 70 lakh metric tonne of maize imported by the Centre, Siddaramaiah said the decision had stalled procurement by nodal agencies such as NAFED and NCCF.
"Because of this, farmers in some places are holding protests," he said.
Karnataka alone expects to produce around 55 lakh MT of maize this season, he added.
The CM said distilleries had already stocked up when prices were low.
"Instructions have been given to discuss with distillery owners to purchase maize as per rules and facilitate farmers," he said.
The state has now directed officials to set up procurement centres to purchase 10 lakh metric tonne of maize directly from farmers.
Siddaramaiah added that the government would write to the Centre not to import more maize at a time when the country had grown abundantly and required market stabilisation.
The chief minister also said Karnataka had sought crop-loss compensation from the Union government following rain damage over 15.5 lakh hectares.
An appeal for revision of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms for horse gram has been filed, and officials have been asked to visit Delhi for further discussions.
In a separate communication to the Union government, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, writing to Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary (Cooperation), flagged the gravity of the ongoing crisis.
"The market price of maize has fallen sharply, far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This has pushed our farmers into a state of anxiety and financial vulnerability, at the very peak of the harvesting season," she wrote.
Rajneesh noted that while the MSP stood at Rs 2,400 per MT, prevailing prices in Karnataka were just Rs 1,600 per MT, with distress sales accelerating. The state has a marketable surplus of nearly 32 lakh MT, she said, calling for "urgent intervention from NAFED."
The letter proposed a two-fold strategy: immediate procurement under Price Support Scheme (PSS) or a market intervention mechanism, with 12.50 lakh MT allocated to Public Distribution Sheme (PDS) and national nutrition schemes, and 20 lakh MT procured for ethanol; and temporary restriction on import of maize to stabilise prices and "uphold the spirit of MSP."
The Chief Secretary also sought a one-time relaxation of FAQ norms for slightly discoloured greengram affected by recent rains.
"Timely action will restore confidence among farmers and uphold their rightful claim to fair compensation," the letter said.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
