Virginia tobacco growers in A.P. raise tax hike issues with Jagan

Virginia tobacco farmers from Jangareddygudem mandal in Eluru district met YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at the party’s central office on Thursday and raised concerns over the impact of increased Central taxes on their livelihood.

The farmers told Mr. Jagan that the steep hike in excise duty and GST on Virginia tobacco and cigarettes by the Central government has severely affected the sector.

The higher taxes have led to a decline in demand for tobacco, resulting in falling prices and reduced procurement, pushing farmers into financial distress, they said. Warning that the situation could worsen further if immediate relief measures were not taken, the farmers pointed out that tobacco growers in several districts have launched protests, seeking a rollback on the tax hikes. 

They submitted a memorandum to Mr. Jagan, detailing the difficulties due to the policy changes.

Mr. Jagan assured that the YSRCP would take up the issue at the national level. He said the economic crisis faced by tobacco farmers would be brought to the attention of the Central government and assured that YSRCP MPs would raise the matter during the Budget Session in Parliament.

Chintalapudi YSRCP in-charge Kambham Vijayaraju, NLS Virginia Tobacco Farmers’ Association president Satram Venkata Rao, vice-president Atluri Satish, secretary Satyanarayana, farmer leaders Sattenapalli Veeraraju, and Machilipatnam Parliamentary YSRCP observer Jetti Gurnadha Rao were present during the meeting.