Farmers to protest in front of CM residence

NAGPUR: The Shetkari Sanghatana has decided to hold a sit-in agitation (thiyya andolan) in front of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s home at Trikoni Park in Dharampeth on November 30. Hundreds of farmers from Vidarbha and Marathwada are expected to participate and it will be led by Sanghatana founder Sharad Joshi.
The decision was taken at a state executive meeting of the Sanghatana here on Thursday in presence of Joshi.State president Gunwant Hangargekar said farmers all over the state were reeling under the worst-ever situation as all major crops including cotton, soyabean, paddy as well as fruit crops of orange and grapes were ruined because of inadequate and irregular rains. “The farmers are in deadly grip of a double whammy. While bad weather conditions have led to heavy crop losses, the market rates for all crops including sugarcane and onion are too low to give any returns in investment to the growers,” said the farm leader.
The farm body’s regional leader and ex-MLA Wamanrao Chatap said the meeting resolved to hold a sit-in agitation in front of the CM’s house. “Beginning at 12 noon on that Sunday, we will hold protests to draw the CM’s attention,” he added. “The farmers are in such a distress that suicides are on the rise again. Farmers are in no position to repay crop loans or settle electricity bills. So our main demand will be complete waiver of farm loans and power bills,” said Chatap.
He also told reporters that the BJP, which is in power at the Centre and now in the state, should fulfil the election promises of higher rates for crops. “Narendra Modi had stressed during poll campaign that farmers would be paid rates to cover input costs plus 50% of costs as per the M S Swaminathan Commission recommendations. Modi should not forget his electoral promises,” said Chatap. He said the Sanghatana was demanding minimum support price of Rs 6,000 a quintal for cotton, Rs 5,000 for soyabean and Rs 3,000 for paddy. Currently the MSPs for these three crops are in range of Rs 4,000, Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,300 respectively.
Earlier this week, the state cabinet reviewed the agriculture crisis in the state resulting from untimely rains and adverse weather conditions. It was noted that of around 39,000 villages in the state. 19,069 had reported less than 50% ‘paisewari’ (crop yield of less than 50%) and thus half of the state was facing severe agricultural drought. While it was decided to seek urgent relief from the Centre, a state cabinet subcommittee was also formed for strict monitoring of the crisis and for suggesting timely relief measures. The situation was worst in Marathwada, with its 8,139 villages declared drought affected. All 7,241 villages in Amravati division and 2,029 villages, mostly in Wardha district of Nagpur division, were also eligible for drought relief. A Shiv Sena delegation led by leader of opposition Eknath Shinde met Fadnavis and demanded a Rs 10,000 per acre cash compensation for farmers in the drought-hit areas.