Periyapatna: Tobacco auction commenced this morning at the auction market in Thaggundi near here. MP Pratap Simha, former Minister C.H. Vijayashankar, Tobacco Board Vice-President P.V. Basavarajappa, Auction Market Director B.N. Bihari Choudhary and other were present.

Speaking on he occasion Periyapatna MLA K. Venkatesh contended that tobacco fetched a good price in Andhra Pradesh. He expected that to happen in Karnataka which has been reeling under drought for the last two years. He opined that a good price for tobacco could help the farmers and sought the co-operation of Tobacco Board and  bidding companies in that context.