UNPA to hold farmers' meet on Dec 18

Chandigarh, Dec 12 (UNI) The United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) will hold a national level meet to discuss problems of farmers at New Delhi on December 18.

Former Haryana Chief Minister and INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala said besides him, the meet would be attended by Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, TDP president Chandrababu Naidu, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babu Lal Marandi, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Asom Gana Parishad resident Vrindavan Goswami, Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh.

The meet would be attended by eminent leaders of the farming community and progressive farmers from all over the country. The chief guest on the occasion would be renowned scientist and agriculture expert M S Swaminathan.

Mr Chautala said the condition of the farmers in the country had become desperate as they were suffering from ''back breaking debts and diminishing and loss making agriculture.'' ''The rise in number of suicide cases, loss making returns of agricultural produce, land acquisition and SEZs have become serious challenges to the farmers. The meet will discuss these issue as well identify others that are emerging as challenges and will also deliberate on possible solutions,'' he said.

UNI