Over 2 lakh farmers committed suicide in last 15 years:BJP

  Jammu, December 22(Scoop News) –During the last 15 years more than 2.5 lakh farmers have committed suicides in the country. These deaths did not take place suddenly but due to economic factors cropped up in agriculture sector. This was alleged by BJP Kissan Morcha National Vice-President & former Member of Parliament Suresh Chandel while addressing media persons alongwith Morcha State President Karan Singh and General secretary Capt.(Retd) Kasturi Lal Sharma on Thursday.

Sursh Chandel said because of anti-farmer  policies of Congress led UPA government, farmers minimum sources of income have closed. Distriminatory economic policies have placed the farmers on the last step of income pyramid. Their prosperity has gone to zero level. That is why their tolerance power has become zero. As a result of which farmers in such a large number have committed suicides in different parts of the country during last 15 years. Even today suicides are being committed in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa. 

Chandel said that income has gone up in service sector, trade sector, and industrial sector. Wages have also gone up in the country, but income of farmer has declined. Failure of crop, network of loans and market power has become killing elements for the farmers.  A slight onslaught of weather not only destroy the crops in the country bur also becomes the cause of death of hundred of farmers in the country, because their means of livelihood are minimum. Agriculture insurance scheme has practically failed to give any relief to farmers. Only those farmers, who obtain loans, are covered under the insurance scheme.

Chandel said imporft-export of agricultural produced should be linked with crop seasons. When crop is coming into market, only then exports should be allowed so that farmers can get higher price. In case there is less production of crfop and import is to be made, then the decision to import should be taken during off-time of farmer’s  crop.

Briefing about the resolution placed during the 2-day National Executive Meet held at Bangaluru, and which is under consideration, Suresh chandel said that the Kissan Morcha has stressed on formula for crop price fixing, pricing procedure may be made transparent, farmers may be paid profitable price for all the crops. Swaminathan Commission Report  may be implemented i.e. give 50 per cent profit on cost, don’t leave the farmers on the mercy of market powers. Arrangements be made for procurement. Farmers may be given loans @ 1% interest for one year, farm income insurance scheme may be implemented, in the event calamity compensation equal to the price of crop may be given, separate agriculture buduget may be passed as is being done in Karnataka, import/export of agricultural produce may be linked with crop season, farmers may be given all types of subsidies direct and government should keep distribution system of all agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides etc. under their own control. Living this into hands of open market powers will prove harmful to both farmers as well as agriculture.

To highlight the plight of farmers facing across the country, Chandel declared that the Kisssan Morcha will observe January 21 next year as “ Kissan Bachao Divas” and organise programes at district levels of different modes to exert pressure on the Congress-led UPA and the state governments to shed the anti-farmers policies and work towards mitigation of their problems.