Mumbai: On Monday, when the State-wide farmers’ strike entered its fifth day, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court seeking implementation of the recommendations made by the National Commission on Farmers in 2006.
The PIL was filed by Hemant Patil, national president,Bharat Against Corruption. The National\ Commission on Farmers headed by Dr. M.S Swaminathan submitted four reports in December 2004, August 2005, December 2005 and April 2006. In its fifth and final report in October 2006, the panel made recommendations to achieve ‘faster and more inclusive growth’ as envisaged in the 11th Five Year Plan. The plea has urged the government to accept and implement the report’s recommendations such as fixing the minimum support price (MSP) for grains at 50% more than the production cost, safeguarding interests of small farmers and reducing the risk posed by climate change to agriculture. The PIL mentions a recent government panel that has recommended a minimum support price for grains at only 10% more than the cost of production.
Plea to CM
Mr. Patil said on May 23 this year he made a representation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to implement the recommendations made in the report. The PIL is expected to be heard next on June 12.
The National Commission on Farmers was formed to formulate a comprehensive medium-term strategy for food and nutrition security, and propose methods of enhancing productivity, profitability, stability and sustainability of the farming system.
The panel was also expected to combine technology and public policy; suggest measures to attract and retain educated youth in farming; design policy reforms to enhance investment in agri research; increase flow of rural credit to farmers; formulate special programmes for dry land farming; suggest measures for enhancing the quality and cost competitiveness of farm commodities; recommend measures for credit, knowledge, skill, technological and marketing empowerment of women; and suggest methods for empowering members of local bodies sdo that they can promote sustainable agriculture.
