Ludhiana District Unit of All India Kisan Sabha organises dharna in front of DC office

Ludhiana, July 25, 2014: With a demand to waive-off loans towards poor farmers, for increase in the minimum support price (MSP) and purchase in time by government agencies, monthly pension of Rs3000 to every man/woman farmer, khet mazdoor (farm workers) and artisans, loan at Zero % interest, Implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s report, 10% of GDP to be spent on agriculture, health card and insurance to all those farmers and workers engaged in agriculture,    the Ludhiana District Unit of All India Kisan Sabha organised a dharna in front of Deputy Commissioner office at Mini Secretariat here today.
While addressing the dharna Comrade Kartar Singh Bowani, Vice President of Punjab Kisan Sabha said the policies of privatisation, liberalisation and corporatisation the government has virtually stopped public spending on rural development, agriculture and irrigation. He further said that as per new economic policy the spending by government in the agriculture sector has reduced from 34% to 4%, investment in research has also been reduced. As a result of this the Punjab Agricultural University is starving for funds. The government is not implementing the recommendations of Farmers Commission. All the natural and state resources are being handed over to the big Corporates at the throw away prices. Small house-hold and medium industrial sector has closed in large number leading unemployment to the youth particularly the village youth.
Comrade Surinder Jalaldiwal, Distt. President said that the inputs like diesel, fertilizers and agricultural implements are becoming expensive. The government is not giving full price as recommended by the National Farmers Commission and is systematically abolishing the procurement by the state agencies.
Comrade Amandeep Singh, District General Secretary said that the economic level of rural people is falling. It is an irony that there is no social security in the old age for the food providers. He further said that neither agriculture based industries are not being developed nor the infrastructure in agriculture sector is being improved.
Other speakers criticised the anti farmer policies of the government at the centre and state for ignoring their demands which has led large number of suicides by the farmers throughout India, including Punjab.  Farmers have to face huge losses every year due to natural calamities that affect their production which are many a time destroyed. But governments do not have any policy for them in this regard to meet the loss.
The farmer organisations also warned of introduction of GM crops without safety audit. Such a move may lead to several problems for our food security and health in future.  Others speakers include Comrades Jang Singh Sirthala, Paramjit Singh Siora, Piara Singh Mann, Bharpur Singh Sawaddi, Gurnam Singh Sarpanch, Khushal Singh and Avtar Singh Gill.