Centre has betrayed the trust of farmers, says farmers leader

Various farmers organisations to stage protest during winter session in Belagavi

The Union government has betrayed the trust of farmers by reducing the loan amount disbursed by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), according to president of the federation of farmers Kurubur Shanthakumar.

He told presspersons in Belagavi on Monday that “Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that the loan amount for farmers will be increased by 16% compared to last year. But, in effect, she has reduced the quantum of NABARD farm loans given by cooperative institutions. This is condemnable.”

He said that the federation will support the strike by local farmers during the winter session of the State Legislature in Belagavi on December 16.

They are demanding clearance of arrears by sugar factories, higher FRPs for sugarcane and legalised minimum support price for other crops. “We will support them,” he said.

He said that Minister Shivanand Patil has promised to put in place a mechanism where farmers get more than the FRP. “This assurance was given at a meeting on November 29. I hope it will be kept,” he said.

Earlier, at a meeting of farmers, Mr. Shanthakumar spoke of various issues faced by farmers in Karnataka and elsewhere.

He said that a large number of farmers will go on a hunger strike in Bengaluru from Saturday to express solidarity with Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader J.S. Dalaiwala in Delhi.

He urged farmers leaders from Belagavi to join the protest. He said that the Union government is trying to suppress a protest started by farmers in Delhi in November.

He demanded that the Union government begin talks with Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders and end the protest in Delhi.

Mr. Dalaiwala and other leaders began a hunger strike on November 26 at the Kanuri border in Delhi. Their demands include a Minimum Support Price (MSP) Guarantee Act for agricultural produce, fixing of MSP based on the Swaminathan formula, complete farm loans waiver and social security for farmers, particularly, a pension scheme for senior farmers and suitable amendments to the crop insurance schemes to include all crops, reduce premium, higher compensation and easier process of claiming relief.

A committee appointed by the Supreme Court has listed the reasons for farmers suicides like lack of proper markets and low support prices for production costs. Rather than taking action on these points, the Union government is trying to suppress farmers protests, he said.

Farmers leaders Gurusiddappa Kotagi, Suresh Patil, Ramesh Hiremath, S.B. Sidnal, Maruti Nalwade, Panchappa, Shankar Gowda, Bapu Gowda and Iranna Rajnal were present at the meeting.

Published - December 03, 2024 07:36 pm IST