The Hindu : National : New farm policy rolled back in Uttar Pradesh

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Friday, Aug 24, 2007
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New farm policy rolled back in Uttar Pradesh

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday rolled back the new farm policy she had announced on August 3.

With emphasis on contract farming, the policy was touted as the harbinger of good times for the farmers, 90 per cent of whom are small and marginal and subsisted on holdings of less than half hectare.

On August 9, the Chief Minister clarified that the policy was optional and would not be thrust upon farmers. She said it was decided to roll back the policy as farmers opposed certain provisions.

All aspects of the policy were reviewed before the decision was made. Inputs by intelligence officials, gathered from all the districts, were given to her on Wednesday.

It was revealed that 60 per cent of the farmers were opposed to the policy.

The Chief Minister stressed that the BSP government’s policies would not clash with the interests of the farmers. Similar was the philosophy behind the decision to halt the operation of corporate-run retail business.

The government felt that the small retailers and vendors would be ruined with the advent of business houses in retail trade.

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