Farmers resort to rasta roko

Kolar, July 5 (UNI) For the last ten days, traffic at National Highways between Kolar-Bangalore and Kolar-Tirupathi has been completely disturbed with passengers being stranded for long hours daily due to farmers resorting rasta rokos demanding support for prices for tomotoes.

There has been a drastic fall in the prices of tomatoes because of the glut. The irate farmers gave vent to their frustration by throwing the tomatoes on roads and in the drainage for the last ten days in the district.

The farmers are demanding the government to announce atleast Rs five per kg as the minimum support price. However, it has announced 30 paise which was prevailing during the Governor's rule and it has not brought any relief.

Tomato growers blocked NH4 by throwing the produce on the road near N-Vadderahalli in Mulbagal Taluk on Friday alleging governemnt's apathy towards their plight.

The farmers said that they will continue their struggle till their demand is met.

Newly appointed Chairman of Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board Varthur Prakash has said the government was committed to fix the minimum support price at Rs two per kg of tomatoes.

UNI XR SIV SKB1936