AIKS to launch agitation on farmers demands

Vijayawada, Aug 16 (UNI) The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in recently-held its three-day Council meeting at Ernakulam, decided to hold agitations from September 15 to pressurise the Centre and State governments on the farmers demands.

Talking to newspersons here today, AIKS Vice president Kolli Nageswara Rao saud that on on September 1, AIKF leaders with farmers would submit a memorandum to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and also to the District Collectors and Mandal Tahsildars at various places in the State. From September 15 to 20, dharnas would be held before the Collectors and Mandal offices, he added.

Mr Rao said farmers 'Sadassu' would be held on October 30 at New Delhi on the issue and later a rally will be taken to the Parliament.

He said the farmers demands included waiving off loans, fresh loans at 25 paise interest and implementation of the recommendations of the National Agricutural Commission, headed by Dr MS Swaminathan, by adding additional 50 per cent to agricultural expenditure.

He said steps should be initiated while deciding on the agricultural production support price, crop insurance scheme for farmers and introducing a seed act bill for guiding the prices.

Efforts were needed to implement the Health Insurance and pension scheme and continuing the agriculture subsidy by stopping allocation of crop lands to Special Economic Zones (SEZ), distribution of surplus and banjar lands to the poor agricultural labourers, he added.

Mr Rao urged the farmers to participate in the agitational programmes and to ensure its success.

UNI