NDA's agricultural policies perpetuated by UPA: Vardarajan

Bhopal, Nov 17 (UNI) Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha National General Secretary K Vardarajan today alleged that there was no difference in the agricultural policies of the United Progressive Alliance Government and the previous National Democratic Alliance Government.

''The plight of farmers in the country is extremely bad and more than two lakh peasants have committed suicide since October this year,'' Mr Vardarajan, a politburo member of the CPI(M), told reporters here.

''The import policy of the NDA that brought the most damage to farmers has been perpetuated by the UPA,'' he alleged.

He said the Kisan Sabha would stage a nationwide demonstration against such policies of the Centre on November 20 in New Delhi.

Various workers would arrive in the national capital to take part in the demonstration.

The CPI(M) leader said four processions -- from Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Srinagar and Tripura -- had also left for New Delhi in this regard. He was leading the procession from Kanyakumari.

Mr Vardarajan observed that a dangerous situation prevailed in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region where a spate of peasant's suicides had occurred.

He described the Centre's policies on the SEZ as controversial claiming that an attempt was being made to grab the land of agriculturists for the benefit of the industrialists.

Besides, it would affect similar advantages available for industrialists. Under the provision, big industrialists would get the tax benefits. However, small industries, not coming under the provision, would be deprived of these benefits, he said.

UNI SD-PS PB HT1730