Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh did not pay heed to demands by some farmers to speak on the Kalasa-Banduri issue, in Belagavi on Saturday.
He was here to speak at the national-level conference of the Bharatiya Krishik Samaj and Karnataka Rajya Rashtriya Raitha Sanghatane.
When he entered the hall, some started hailing the Minister by shouting slogans in praise of him. However, some other farmers from among the audience shouted that he speak on how to end the Mahadayi river water dispute. They also wanted him to assure them that the Union government would waive farm loans.
When he sat down, the cries ended. However, he mentioned neither Mahadayi nor loan waiver in his speech. He recalled how he came from an agricultural family and how he was a farmer himself. He hoped that a comprehensive scheme for the welfare of farmers would solve their problems.
Doubling farm income
Looking at the way farmers are suffering, it seems as if there would be no hope for them even if there were to be a second green revolution, he said. He said that the Union government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working hard towards doubling farmers’ income. It had brought in a new-generation farm insurance policy that ensured farmers were compensated for crop loss, natural calamities, low or very high rainfall and other extreme climate conditions.
He also said that agriculture would be the sunrise sector by 2021. It will see unprecedented growth and address many issues like falling rural incomes, distress migration, and rural joblessness.
Mr. Singh claimed credit for the low interest rate on farm loans, introduced in the State during the BJP-JD(S) alliance government. “I suggested to the then Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to reduce interest rate on farm loans. He implemented it and farmers across the State were benefited,” he said.
Suresh Angadi, MP, expressed concern that farming was being perceived as non-remunerative and youth were not choosing the profession. Even a low grade employee in a government or private office gets a stable income, but farmers don’t. They are also caught in the clutches of middlemen and money lenders, he said. He criticised the delay in the award of compensation to families of farmers who commit suicide due to indebtedness or crop loss.
MPs Prahlad Joshi and Prabhakar Kore, Krishik Samaj leaders Kishanbir Choudhary, Lingaraj Patil and others were present.
