Farmers plan dharna in New Delhi from Nov. 1

The Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham on Sunday said hundreds of farmers from the State would stage a mega dharna in New Delhi from November 1 to 5, to protest against the “anti-farmers policies” of the Union and State governments

Speaking after releasing the poster of the event here, All India Kisan Sabha national vice-president R. Venkaiah said that the M.S. Swaminathan Committee report should be implemented for fixing the minimum support price of the produce.

Pension sought

He sought payment of pension of ₹10,000 per month to the farmers, tenant farmers, and agricultural labourers who had crossed 60 years.

Mr. Venkaiah said a policy should be evolved to enable purchase of the produce through government organisations directly from the farmers.

The farmers’ leader said those who lost their land under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, should be adequately compensated.

“Loan obtained through farmers’ cooperative banks should be waived. A farmers’ loan relief fund should be constituted as in Kerala to save the farmers from private moneylenders,” he said.

Sangham general secretary K.V.V. Prasad sought release of adequate funds for the Polavaram project from the Centre.

Loan waiver

He said the loan waiver scheme introduced by the State government must be implemented as a one-time measure. He also sought action against makers of spurious seed, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Krishna District Rythu Sangham senior leader Uma Mahesawar Rao was present.