Include agriculture as first priority in poll manifestos: NKS
Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare would attend a Jai Kishan Mahasamabesh (farmers’ convention), organised by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) at the PMG Square here on April 1, said NKS coordinator Akshaya Kumar at a Press conference here on Sunday.
Similarly, Magsaysay award-winning water conservationist Dr Rajendra Singh Rane and noted Gandhian activist PV Rajgopal would also address thousands of farmers of the State in the convention, he said.
The NKS, an organisation fighting for remunerative price, prestige and pension for farmers, came to limelight after its members entered into Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence on December 17, 2012.
The members of the organisation protested against the State Government in the heavily guarded Assembly premises on December 16 last year and also staged a demonstration by blocking the Chief Minister’s convoy on December 24 last, for which reason 26 activists were arrested under Section 307 of IPC.
The NKS has been demanding that the State Government ensure remunerative prices for agricultural produces instead of giving a mere minimum support price (MSP). It also demands that the Government amend the relief code in order to adequately compensate farmers for crop loss.
In the convention, the NKS would call upon all the political parties and candidates contesting the general elections to include agriculture in their election manifestos as a first priority.
“Whoever forms the Government, they have to solve farmers’ problems,” said Akshaya Kumar, adding, “If the Government does not pay heed to our demands, we the farmers of the State will dethrone it.”
NKS co-coordinator Seshadev Nanda said they have completed 50 days of Padyatra in 10 districts to make people aware about the real situation of farmers in the State. “We found cotton mills, sugar mills and several agriculture-based industries in defunct conditions.
There is no irrigation facility in several areas, for which farmers are migrating to different cities of other States to work as labourers,” Nanda said, adding, “Now, we want commitment from the political parties to solve the serious problems of farmers, if they are voted to power.”