TIRUPATI: Lack of political will and ineffective government polices are responsible for the present crisis in agriculture, the backbone of Indian economy, opined speakers at the national meet on `Agriculture Sector - Crisis - Solution’ organised here on Wednesday to mark the 75th anniversary of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).Setting tone for the three-day national farmers conference, AIKS national secretary Atul Kumar Anjan said that agrarian crisis in the country is a very serious issue, which is the result of 1991 economic reforms. He said though the prime minister and the government claim that GDP has touched 8 per cent, they fail to explain why farmers were still suffering. Stating judicial distribution of land to tiller is the need of the hour, he demanded exclusive agriculture budget on the lines of rail budget and renaming of agriculture ministry as farmers welfare ministry.Pointing out that everyone gets pensions except farmers, he said “Here onwards, a farmer, be it men or women, above 60 years should be given Rs 2000 pension per month.’’ He demanded interest-free loans to farmers and scraping of Land Acquisition Act. Lok Satta Party (LSP) president Jayaprakash Narayan called upon farmers to be united, have a clear understanding as to what they want and agitate for it. Stating that agriculture has become hostage to vote bank politics, he said instead of addressing farmers problems, the government was creating more problems to them. CPM state secretary BV Raghavulu called upon people to fight against the 1991 economic reforms, which are the reason for agrarian crisis.“Acting on the directions of the World bank and WTO, the government is contemplating to dismantle Food Corporation of India (FCI). Though the government owes dues to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore to the FCI, it has failed to clear them with the view to cripple the FCI and the public distribution sector,’’ he explained.CPI state secretary K Narayana said farm sector is facing grave situation. In the name of SEZs, the government is creating new feudal system. “The prime minister speaks of second green revolution, but fails to ensure even MSP for the farm produce,’’ he said.TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu described the agrarian crisis in the country as a worrying factor. “Distressed over lack of government support, farmers in twin Godavari districts and Prakasam declared crop holiday which only shows the severity of the crisis. Cultivable land was being given to companies at a throwaway price for kickbacks and instead of setting up industries these companies are doing real estate businesses,’’ he said. He demanded implementation of MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations in toto. The TDP leader supported the AIKS demand for Rs 2000 per month pension for aged farmers.
Comments
0 comment