Governor stresses need for price stabilisation funds

Mumbai, Sep 12 (UNI) Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna today said that the suggestion made by Dr M S Swaminathan, Chairman for the National Commission for Farmer, calling upon the State and the Central Governments to set up a Price Stabilization Fund should be taken with due respect and diligence.

''This fund, will insulate farmers from distress sale,'' he said, adding that the plight of farmers from Vidarbha is a matter of grave concern not only for the State but also for the entire nation.

The Governor was addressing a high level meeting of officials of the Planning Commission of India at Raj Bhavan especially to discuss the suggestions made by Dr Swaminathan to the State Government in the backdrop of continuation of suicides by farmers, to understand the causes and take remedial steps to change the situation.

''There are too many limiting factors such as lack of irrigation, low productivity, - that ail farming in Vidarbha and the Centre and the State will have to go to the aid and assistance of farmers from the region to help them in the present situation,'' Mr Krishna said.

The Governor said that the recent visit to Vidarbha by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has boosted the morale of the people of the region and the farming community and observed that such visits served as a soothing balm for farmers, a release isued by Raj bhavan said.

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