Mysore/Mysuru: Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture K. Venkatesh has warned of seizing the godowns of tobacco companies in the district, if they fail to buy tobacco from farmers at the rate existing prior to Sankranti festival.

The companies have been told to discuss with their higher authorities and inform the District Administration by tomorrow (Feb. 24) evening.

Chairing a meeting to discuss about the issues surrounding fall in tobacco prices, the Minister issued a stern warning to tobacco companies, mainly the Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) Ltd., for ignoring the farmers demand for a better price.

Venkatesh represents Periyapatna Constituency in the Assembly, which is known for tobacco cultivation in the district. 

MP Yaduveer Wadiyar

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar said that when a similar situation prevailed last year, he had sought the intervention of Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

Arrange meeting at Guntur

Meanwhile, ITC authorities asked the District Administration to convene a meeting at their company headquarters in Guntur, AP. They also sought some time to take a decision on restoring the prices, after discussing the issue with their higher ups.

Hunsur MLA G.D. Harish Gowda, where too tobacco cultivation is high, was also present along with K.R. Nagar MLA D. Ravishankar, former Hunsur MLA H.P. Manjunath, ZP CEO S. Ukesh Kumar and SP Mallikarjun Baladandi.