Bidar: Opposition members in the Bidar Zilla Panchayat have criticised the Government's scheme to provide subsidised bulls, carts, power-tillers and tractors to farmers, terming it "anti-farmer and pro-trader".

"The scheme is flawed. The carts are of poor quality and no farmer wants them now. The traders have been benefited by subsidy on power-tillers and tractors and not farmers," Congress member D.K. Sidram alleged at the panchayat general body meeting here on Friday. Other Congress members, including Amrit Chimkod, agreed with him.

He alleged that the carts were made of poor quality wood and had developed cracks. "The Government has fixed their price at Rs. 17,500 a piece. Half of the amount is to be paid by farmers. This is high as a good quality cart is available at Rs. 5,000. This is the reason farmers do not want them. The carts are standing unclaimed in the Agriculture Department office," Mr. Sidram said.

He also alleged that the Government had transferred the subsidy meant for farmers, to dealers in power-tillers and tractors. This is a violation of rules. Officials responsible for this should be suspended, he said.

Joint Director of Agriculture Aman Shaikab said that the department had received complaints from farmers that some carts were of poor quality. "We will replace them," he said. The members later passed a resolution urging the Government to suspend Mr. Shaikab for alleged dereliction of duty and negligence.

The Congress members said that giving farmers either bulls or carts was an impractical idea. This is like giving students pens without papers, Mr. Chimkod said. He demanded that the panchayat members pass a resolution that the Government distribute bulls along with carts to farmers. "Let us send this suggestion to the Government so that it changes its scheme guidelines," he said.

He also demanded that the Government compensate farmers who suffered losses due to distribution of spurious seeds by the Agriculture Department. "Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has announced compensation to sugarcane farmers who suffered losses. He has not announced assistance for black gram or green gram growers," he said and asked: "Is he waiting for those growers to commit suicide?"

Some members also demanded the withdrawal of the annual action plan.

Panchayat president Anil Bhusare, vice-president Jyoti Charan Rathod and chief executive officer Jitendra Nayak were present.

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