(a) whether the Union Government have agreed to take necessary steps to buy the accumulated tobacco stocks in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
(b) if so, whether the State Government have drawn the attention of the Union over the problem faced by farmers in the State due to the accumulation of stocks in the State Trading Corporation; and
(c) if so, to what extent the Union Government propose to help the tobacco farmers of the state?
MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI MURASOLI MARAN)
a) No, Sir.
b) Yes, Sir.
c) Actions of tobacco has commenced in Andhra Pradesh at the auction platforms of Tobacco Board on 22nd February, 2000 and a meeting has been held with the bankers who have been asked to provide credit lines to the traders to facilitate marketing of tobacco. Efforts are on to find out new markets for export of tobacco from Andhra Pradesh. A delegation of 6 members recently visited Libya, Jordan, Egypt and Algeria in February, 2000 to promote Indian exports of tobacco in these countries. Another delegation of tobacco exporters is proposed to visit Russia shortly.