Karnataka - Hassan   

Farmers stage protest in Hassan

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, SEPT. 13. Hundreds of activists of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Hasiru Sene, and villagers of Bittagodanahalli laid siege to the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Monday demanding a ban on supply of milk by private companies.

The farmers also exhorted the Government to ensure the settlement of crop insurance claims, "proper" rehabilitation of the freed bonded labourers of Gangooru, and shifting of the waste disposal plant from Bittagodanahalli to Haluvagilu.

`Indirect' support

They took out a protest march from Santhepet Circle and raised slogans against the alleged apathy of the Government in settling the crop insurance claims. The farmers also alleged that the Government was "indirectly" supporting private companies that supplied milk. The police had strengthened security around the Deputy Commissioner's office.

Indifference

Addressing the protesters, the general secretary of KRRS, Kodihalli Chandrashekar, criticised the Government for neglecting the interests of farmers in the State. He said that though 800 farmers had committed suicide because they unable to repay their debts, the Government was indifferent to their plight.

He also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) "Tiranga Yatra," and said that while farmers were committing suicide, the BJP was engaged in "safeguarding the honour of the national flag." He accused the party of trying to divert the attention of the people with the national flag issue.

He said that if the Government failed to control the spate of suicides by farmers, the KRRS would be forced to launch a massive agitation across the State.

`Threat to dairying'

Mr. Chandrashekar accused the coalition Government in the State of indirectly supporting the private companies from the neighbouring States that supplied milk. He said that the failure of the Government in banning the supply of milk by these companies would lead to the "elimination" of dairy farming in the State. He alleged that the private companies were importing milk powder and selling the milk at competitive prices.

He urged the Deputy Commissioner, K.H. Ashwathanarayana Gowda, to direct bank authorities not to adjust the crop insurance claims against the farmers' outstanding debts. The villagers of Bittagodanahalli urged Mr. Gowda to shift the waste disposal plant from their village to Haluvagilu, as the plant would affect their health.

Agitation

The executive president of KRRS, Shesha Reddy, tore a packet of milk distributed by a private company and kick-started the agitation against such companies. Mr. Reddy said that failure on the part of the Government in banning the supply of milk by private companies would lead to a Statewide agitation.

Assurances

Mr. Gowda assured the farmers of that banks would be asked not to adjust crop insurance claims against outstanding loans. He said that he would draw the attention of the Government with regard to their complaints against private companies supplying milk. He also said that he would direct authorities concerned to suspend the work on the waste disposal plant immediately. Mr. Gowda said that he would call a meeting on Wednesday and try to find an amicable solution to the location of the plant.

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