New Delhi, April 29: Hundreds of farmers drawn from all over the country including the national and state level functionaries of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) Monday staged a day-lonf dharna and demonstration at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi demanding remunerative prices for the agricultural products and separate budget for agriculture.
According to a press release issued here today the BKS activists also demanded immediate implementation of the five-point charter of demands submitted to the government, members of the parliament, prime minister and union agriculture minister. The BKS submitted a memorandum to the President in this regard.
Addressing the gathering BKS President Prof Annasaheb Murkute strongly came down on the anti-farmer policies of the union government. He categorically held the apathetic attitude of the UPA II responsible for the sorry state of affairs in agriculture sector today.
Prof Murkute said that on the one hand the farm sector was facing an investment crunch while on the other hand the government was encouraging corporate and MNCs to take over agriculture in the name of bringing economic reforms in the farm sector.
BKS General Secretary Prabhakar Kelkar in his address dwelt upon the plight of farmers in terms of lack of market access and non-remunerative prices for agriculture produce. He said that the anti-labour policies of the government have not only compelled lakhs of farmers to shun farming and look for alternatives but also forced thousands to commit suicide across the country.
National Vice-President Tailuramji, national secretary Ambubhai Patel andf veteran leader fromGujarat Jeevan Bhai Patel addressed the gathering.
The memorandum submitted to the President, Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister besides all the Members of Parliament included among other demands government should ensure remunerative prices and easy procurement policy; farmer-friendly land acquisition act be passed ensuring their proprietory rights even after acquisition; seeds bill should be simplified and ensure natural rights of the farmers for seed preservation; rational exim policy for agricultural products and separate budget for the farm sector.