State president of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sanga (KRRS), Kodihalli Chandrashekar said that allowing genetically modified seeds and food in the nation will have an adverse effect on biodiversity and urged the Centre not to give permission for using genetically modified seeds and food.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday afternoon, Mr. Chandrashekar said that when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had opposed genetically modified seeds.
However, now he is taking decision in favour of genetically modified seeds which is regrettable.
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He condemned the Centre for bringing ordinance on Land Reforms Act saying that it is absolutely anti-people and anti-farmer.
He said the ordinance allows the authorities concerned to grab the land from the farmers which should not be allowed to happen and warned the Union government of farmers staging protests in the nation if the government fails to withdraw the Act.
He also came down heavily on Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan about his statement against subsidies to farmers.
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He said 65 per cent people of the country are dependent on agriculture and asked ‘does Mr. Rajan know the difficulties farming communities are facing in taking up agricultural activities’.
He sarcastically commented on the RBI chief saying that he did not know how farmers cultivate paddy, ragi and other food grains. If farmers were to give up the agricultural activities, what would the RBI chief eat.
Anti-farmer statements and policies will only cause food shortage and cause trouble to the farming community rather improving the financial condition of the country, he said.
State working president of KRRS, H.R. Basavarajappa, Vice-president, Anusuyamma, state secretary, Devaraj B.S., farmer leader Kadidal Shamanna and others were present.