Piyush Goyal Seeks Blessings at Tirumala, Discusses Farmer Issues with Andhra Pradesh CM

Union Minister Piyush Goyal visited Tirumala to offer prayers and later met Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to discuss farmer issues. The talks centered on tobacco procurement, import duties, and tariffs affecting farmers. Naidu outlined challenges and requested central support for tobacco farmers facing price drops.

Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 16-06-2025 10:37 IST | Created: 16-06-2025 10:37 IST

Piyush Goyal Seeks Blessings at Tirumala, Discusses Farmer Issues with Andhra Pradesh CM — Union Minister Piyush Goyal offers prayers at Tirumala temple on his birthday (Photo/ANI). Image Credit: ANI

Country:
India

Union Minister Piyush Goyal visited the sacred Tirumala hill shrine, offering prayers just days after celebrating his birthday, which falls on June 13. Accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Ministers Anagani Satya Prasad and TG Bharat, Goyal expressed gratitude for the opportunity to seek Lord Venkateswara's blessings.

In conjunction with his official visit, Goyal held talks with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu regarding pressing issues faced by the state's farmers, particularly those growing commercial crops and working in the aqua sector. Significant matters discussed included HD Burley tobacco procurement, import duties on crude palm oil, U.S. tariffs on aqua exports, and GST regulations affecting mango pulp.

Chief Minister Naidu highlighted the severe price drops impacting tobacco farmers and the state's procurement efforts, revealing a plan to buy 20 million kilograms of tobacco through the AP MARKFED. He called for Rs 150 crore from the Tobacco Board and advocated for legislative changes to bolster the Centre's role in tobacco production oversight.

(With inputs from agencies.)