Speaking to reporters here, the BJP floor leader in the state legislative assembly, N Indrasena Reddy decried what he described as "axity on the part of the government, seeds development corporation and the agricultural department" to predict the possible paucity of seeds for the purpose of sowing in the current season, causing hardships to farmers.

Taking advantge of the shortages of seeds especially that of paddy, groundnut and cotton due to drought, some unscrupulous traders and spurious seeds and pesticides companies mushroomed overnight and decieved the gullible farmers by selling adulterated seeds, he alleged.

Reddy welcomed the state government move of coming outwith a draft agricultural policy and said though delayed it augurs well for the farmers and agricultural sector as a whole.

He asked the government to come out with a comprehensive legislation to curb and deal firmly with the spurious companies and dealers engaged in the selling of adulterated seeds and pesticides.

Reddy rejected the suggestion made by the CPI-M To BJP to join the proposed agitation to be taken up jointly by Congress and Left parties to oppose the power tariff hike and said it (BJP) would prevail on the government through talks to bring down the hike.