Will back party that accepts our demands: Farmer

Trichy: The state general council and consultative meeting of Joint Movement of Farmers' Associations of Tamil Nadu on Saturday resolved to fully support and vote for the party or alliance that accepts and implements their demands.They will submit a list of 68 election demands, including waiver of interest on cooperative farm loans, to all parties. Representatives and key functionaries from 58 out of nearly 84 farmers' associations participated. Leaders including Cauvery V Dhanapalan, P Ayyakannu, and K V Ilangiran addressed the gathering.Speaking to reporters, the farmers strongly condemned the central govt for its alleged anti-farmer policies, including the proposed Seed Act, permission for genetically modified crop imports from foreign countries, taxation on Indian agricultural exports, and zero-duty imports of foreign farm produce. The representatives opposed any move to stop free electricity supply to 21 lakh farmers in Tamil Nadu, and demanded that the Centre announce minimum support price (MSP) for all crops. If the Centre fails to do so, the state govt should provide MSP from its own funds, they said. The movement also criticised the Centre for not stopping Mekedatu dam project in Karnataka, and for enacting laws harmful to Tamil Nadu farmers. More than 50 office-bearers from various districts participated in the meeting.