The Hindu Business Line : Congress CMs to meet at Nainital

Besides presenting the status of agriculture and law and order situation, the Chief Ministers are likely to present a wish-list to the party high command to get over pressing problems.

Hyderabad , Sept. 17

The Chief Ministers of Congress ruled states will discuss agriculture and internal security at the two-day conclave scheduled to be held in Nainital in Uttaranchal on September 23 and 24.

Besides presenting the status of agriculture and law and order situation, the Chief Ministers are likely to present a wish-list to the party high command to get over pressing problems. Ms Sonia Gandhi, the Congress President, would chair the conference.

Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, held a meeting here on Saturday with the ministries, departments and agencies concerned to prepare the PowerPoint presentation.

"He will showcase the successes of the State in developing irrigation potential and expanding the scope of agriculture in the State," Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, Minister for Agriculture and Civil Supplies, said.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, he said the Chief Minister would seek Central help in providing irrigation facilities to one crore more acres in the next two years.

Of a total of three crore acres of arable land in the State, the present irrigation facilities could cater to 60 lakh acres. "We would like to bring in one crore acres more under cultivation. For the remaining area of 1.40 crore acres, we would like the Centre to take measures to encourage bio-diesel plantation," he said.

The State would also press for a Pesticide Control Order to effectively control spiralling pesticide prices. It would also ask for subsidies for micronutrients. "This will encourage their usage, while discouraging excessive usage of pesticides," he said.

Dr Reddy also felt the need for bringing in the Seed Act. Besides, he would emphasise the need for increasing minimum support price for pulses and coarse grains.

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