Noted social worker Medha Patkar called on Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav along with Kisan Manch’s National Chairman Vinod Singh on Monday and apprised him of the exploitation of farmers in Sonbhadra region. The meeting took place at 5, Kalidas Marg, the official residence of Chief Minister for almost 30 minutes. Patkar who was on her visit of eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly of Mirzapur-Sonebhadra area, apprised chief minister of delay in completion of construction work of Kanhar dam of Sonbhadra.
She also raised the issue of farmers losing crop in recent rains and hail storm and said local authorities were not judiciously distributing compensation among the affected the farmers. “No survey has been carried out to assess the loss. The farmers who actually lost crop have been deprived of government help,” she said. ‘’India is an agrarian country and majority population depend on farming. So, it is of paramount importance that Government should take care of farmers, ‘’ Patkar said.
Yadav assured Patkar and the chairman of Kisan Manch of all help to the farmers. “The Government will try to solve the problems of peasants on ground level and stern actions would be taken against the officers found guilty in implementing government policies,” he said.
Chief Minister also elaborated on the pro-farmer steps his government has taken in the past and how his officials are monitoring relief distribution. The Kisan Manch leaders thanked chief minister for the assurance and made an appeal to the farmers not to take any extreme step.