Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Gowda also demanded that the government buy tobacco at last year's prices. Otherwise, the Janata Dal would launch an agitational programme, before the beginning of the budget session of Parliament on February 22, he warned.

Blaming the Centre's policies for the present plight of farmers and sericulturists, he said the Special Import Licence scheme should be withdrawn in toto as it would affect 40 lakh families in Karnataka. However, he favoured restricted import of silk yarn to meet the demands of the powerloom industry.

He claimed that the adverse impact of the scheme announced by Union commerce minister Ramakrishna Hegde on October 20 was already being felt. Silk yarn prices had dropped from Rs 1,564 per kg in December end to Rs 1,280 now. The new policy wouldsound a deathknell to the handloom weavers. The government should not not stand on prestige on the issue, he added.

Gowda also criticised the Centre for allowing sugar import to bring down prices when the country produced excess sugar. The country needed 135 lakh tonne of sugar for internal consumption, while the stocks stood at 220 lakh tonne. He said the import of sugar had brought down the prices only marginally. The government should stop the import and take steps to allow the industries to export the excess sugar, he said.

On tobacco, Gowda said the government should buy first grade quality tobacco at last year's price of Rs 90 per kg and low grade at Rs 30 per kg. At present, the first grade was being bought at only Rs 50 per kg and the low grade at Rs 10 per kg.

Gowda parried all questions on the restructuring of the JH Patel ministry in Karnataka. Gowda said he had been invited for consultations on the issue and he would participate in the talks. He said and decision on the issue would be takenby the Janata Dal leaders.