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Farmers' issue figures in Assembly again

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The issue of the Rajasthan Government denying permission for a farmers' rally in Jaipur recently, which led to the expulsion of four MLAs on the Budget session's opening day, cropped up in the Assembly again on Thursday. The treasury members alleged that the farmers' problems were being politicised.

The lone Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA, Amra Ram, raising the matter during the zero hour, alleged that the BJP-led Government had stifled the voice or dissent and infringed upon the democratic rights of farmers by stopping them from congregating in the capital city for a huge rally on February 22.

Mr. Ram and three other Opposition MLAs were expelled for the Budget session on March 1 when they allegedly disrupted the Governor's address in protest against the State Government's anti-farmer policies. Their expulsion was later revoked. Mr. Ram, whose adjournment motion on the subject was rejected by Speaker Sumitra Singh, said farmers in the northern districts of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Bikaner and Sriganganagar were suffering huge losses because of the State Government's failure to supply adequate water and power.

He said the Government had failed to abide by its agreement of December 11, 2004, reached with farmers after their prolonged agitation. "In Ghadsana Krishi Upaj Mandi, for instance, the arrival of wheat and cotton was reported at only 28,000 quintals and 24,000 quintals in 2005-06 against 4.41-lakh and 4.33-lakh quintals in 2000-01,'' said Mr. Ram.

He said the crop production across the State had nosedived due to severe shortage of irrigation water and power. The treasury members retorted by affirming that the water supply through Indira canal was being ensured at the maximum level and crop yield was good everywhere.

When the Leader of Opposition demanded that the Govt. clarify its position regarding the rally, Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said farmers' leaders had insisted on holding the rally at Amroodon Ka Bagh, where prohibitory orders were in force.

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