AP farmers to take part in nationwide protest

Vijayawada: The leaders of 160 farmers associations across the nation, including various unions of Andhra Pradesh, unanimously passed a resolution to make the proposed ‘Farmers Parliament’, which will be conducted outside the Parliament House in New Delhi on November 20 for drawing attention of Indian Parliament, a grand success.

As part of Kisan Mukti Yatra, which was started by associations to create awareness among the farmers and make them unite, reached the city as a rally after completion of their show in Telangana State. They took part in a meeting at Siddhartha College here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav said the Union government had appointed only commission on agriculture sector after independence but the recommendations have not been implemented since 11 years. He said the government had money to introduce metro rail with one lakh crore but no interest to give remunerative price recommended by Swaminathan Commission. Similarly, the Centre had provided benefit of lakhs of crores to employees and business people, he said and but it had intentionally neglected the farmers, he added.

He urged the farmers to join hands with them and take part in the protest in ‘Farmers Parliament which is proposed in New Delhi on November 20. The farmers would submit their demands to Parliament during the Parliament session. The farmers are uniting to fight against the government to get rights, he expressed satisfaction.

Former Supreme Court justice Gopala Gouda asked the State and Central governments to think seriously on the farmers problems when majority of the people depend on agriculture sector.

The country’s economy would collapse if the farmers not cultivate their lands, he said. He wondered how the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were making amendments to Land Acquisition Act. Nobody had right to collect lands against law made by the Centre he said and added that the laws should be useful for purpose of public only.

He also found fault with the government of Andhra Pradesh for collecting 33,000 acres of lands from farmers though some of them have not given their consent. He asked government how it would construct capital city by destroying river. He questioned what the Acts were doing when the three lakh farmers committed suicide in the country.

Parliament Member Raju Shetti criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for neglecting the promise which was given to the farmers during the last election campaign. He asserted the people would teach Narendra Modi a befitting lesson in the next election, if he fails to give more than 50 per cent of actual expenditure of farmers to their produce.

He asked the Prime Minister why the BJP had given assurance when it was not in a position to implement the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission

Retired IAS officer EAS Sharma also came down heavily on the governments for cheating the people. The governments were providing benefits to various corporate companies but not giving any benefit to farmers, he said. Former agriculture minister Vadde Shobanadreeswara Rao, leaders Kavita, Suneela, Erneni Nagendra Nath, Kolanukonda Sivaji and several leaders were present. Rytu Sangham senior leader Kolli Nageswara Rao was felicitated by the leaders on the occasion.