Dharia withdraws eight-day-old fast

Pune, Nov 21 (UNI) Noted environmentalist Mohan Dharia (82) withdrew his eight-day-old fast this morning following assurances from Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh that the state government would consider his(Dharia's) demands on farmers issues sympathetically.

The Chief Minister said ''I am concerned about Dhariaji's health, however, the questions of farmers suicides and related matters are big questions with financial issues. One person cannot take decisions. Taking into consideration the state's financial condition, the state government will do whatever is possible after seeking advise and there will be no opposition to the assistance extended from any quarter.'' ''The matter will first be discussed by the state cabinet and then come up in the Assembly session beginning in 15 days. The matter is not just confined to the state. This is a problem being faced countrywide,'' Mr Deshmukh said adding that already the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has constituted a committee to look into farmers issues and suicides and the report would be submitted soon.

Earlier, Mr Dharia was offered a glass of juice by veteran freedom fighter Prof G P Pradhan in the presence of the Chief Minister in the Vanrai office. Mr Dharia told reporters that he withdrew his fast on the assurance given by the Chief Minister.''I trust him and have confidence that the state and the central government will consider my demands sympathetically as this is a matter affecting farmers countrywide. Already one and half lakh farmers suicides have taken place in the country till date since the past decade,'' he said.

Asked about his further course of action, Mr Dharia said ''it was a deeper issue and the basics for farmers like fertilisers, seeds, soil needed attention. This is a good moment if my demands are met,'' ''I was urged by Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, senior leaders even from the opposition to withdraw my fast. Considering the appeals and the assurances, I am withdraing my fast,'' he said.

Mr Dharia undertook an indefinite fast since November 14. His demands include immediate waiver of loans and accruing interest of farmers owning less than 2 hectares of land in the country, facilities to farmers in drought prone areas irrespective of the size of their farm lands. Another demand includes that money lenders, giving loans to farmers at high rates of interest be declared 'illegal' and police protection be given to such farmers.

Further, the rate of interest on loans given to farmers be reduced to 4 per cent.

UNI DWN ADG PA KN1553