Entry of mangoes from other districts restricted: Chittoor Collector

Chittoor: Keeping the plight of district mango farmers in mind, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had announced support price of Rs 7.5 per kilo mangoes, said District Collector P S Pradyumna. He participated in the Vanam-Manam programme here on Friday. Later, by flagging off a Chaitanya Ratham to create awareness on the need for enhancing green cover in the district.

DFO (Social Forestry) P Srinivas and other officials took part in the programme. Speaking on the occasion, Pradyumna gave a call to farmers to plant saplings on the borders of their farm fields.

He directed the Police department to tighten all check-posts in the district to restrict the entry of mango loads from other districts and states to protect the interests of district mango farmers. He stated instructions were given to owners of the mango pulp processing units in the district not to purchase the mangoes from other districts and neighbouring states.

The Collector informed that the SP had deployed 4 CIs, 19 SIs, 64 ASIs and 128 constables at various check-posts to restrict the entry of vehicles carrying mangoes from other districts and states. He made an appeal to farmers to inform Dial 100 if they found mangoes being brought from outside the district.

While reiterating the government’s commitment to improve green cover, the Collector said public involvement in conservation of the forests is the need of the hour. He asked the personnel of the Forest department to initiate an effective movement in the district for creating awareness on Vanam–Manam programme from grassroots level. Forest department would raise 1.5 crore tree saplings in the month of July, the Collector added.