The Hindu : Karnataka / Mysore News : Farmers protest India joining WTO

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 14, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

Farmers protest India joining WTO

By Our Staff Correspondent

Farmers at a rally in Mysore on Sunday to mark the70th birth anniversary of Prof M.D. Nanjundaswamy. — Photo: M.A. Sriram

MYSORE, FEB. 13 . Thousands of farmers from different parts of the State descended on the City today to participate in a rally organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Green Brigade to mark late farmers' leader Prof. M.D. Nanjundaswamy's birth anniversary.

The farmers, wrapped in their trademark green shawls, marched through the main thoroughfares of the City before congregating at Town Hall, where they took oath for "Gram Swaraj," to protest against the anti-farmer situation arising out India's decision to be part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The farmers, who had come from far off places in the State such as Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Raichur and Gadag, were joined by their counterparts in Hassan, Mandya, Bangalore, and Chamarajanagar districts to raise their voice against the Union and State Governments for "bowing their heads"" before the WTO.

The "Gram Swaraj" struggle launched here today under the leadership of national Kisan leader, Mahendra Singh Tikait, seeks to establish an alternative system for farmers who have been by the WTO.

Criticised

The farmer leaders, who participated in the rally, bemoaned the "anti-farmer" situation that has arisen on account of Union and State Government's decision to toe the WTO line.

The National Kisan Party leader, Mahendra Singh Tikait, the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association leader, Selva Muthy, the working president of Karnataka State Rajya Raitha Sangha, V. Sesha Reddy, the Karnataka Coconut Growers Association president, B. Ravi, and others participated in the rally. Prof Nanjundaswamy's daughter, Chukki Nanjundaswamy, was also present.

Earlier, thousands of farmers arrived in the city by train, bus and other vehicles. While men were wrapped in green shawls, many women wore green coloured sarees. Several children too accompanied them.

The rally passed through Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road, D. Devaraj Urs Road and K.R. Circle.

Import policy

The farmers criticised the import policy, which has a direct bearing on the farmers' suicide spree.

They voiced their protest against the pricing and agriculture loan policy of the Governments.

The farmers urged the Government to immediately halt the seizure of movable and immovable property of farmers, who have not been able to repay their loans on account of the impact of the WTO.

Until a solution is found to the "anti-farmer" situation in the country, the farmers should be provided with all Government services, including power, free, the rallyists demanded. Also, all the outstanding dues on farm loans should be waived, they said.

The Government should come out with remunerative price for their crops and provide for safeguards against price fall, besides ending the irrational import policy.

The Government should distribute all revenue lands to the landless labourers, the rallyists demanded.

Noted cine artiste Ashok, who has been identifying himself with the farmers' cause, was also a prominent participant in the rally.

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