Unauthorized Growers Angered by 'Discrimination'

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 12/18/2009

Indian farmers who have produced tobacco without authorization from the Tobacco Board have accused the authorities of discrimination and will go on indefinite strike from December 21 if their tobacco is not bought, according to a story in The Times of India. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the chief of the Karnataka State Tobacco Growers' Protection Committee, Harihara Anandaswamy, said the board chairman, J Suresh Babu, had given assurances about six months ago that the unauthorized tobacco would be bought, though it would be subject to fines. However, the Committee chief said officials had not yet acted on the assurance with the result that the growers were suffering. "We will not withdraw the protest till the procurement from the unauthorized farmers is started," he added. Enditem