The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Unity call by farmers’ movement

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Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Unity call by farmers’ movement

Special Correspondent

Three groups join forces to address problems of farmers
The plan is to rejuvenate the movement

Bangalore: With a view to bringing unity among the many splinter organisations of the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha (KRRS), three groups — the KRRS led by K.S. Puttannaiah and Kodihalli Chandrasekhar, Sugarcane Growers’ Association and Raita Hitarakshana Samiti of Hubli — have decided to come together to rejuvenate the farmers’ movement.

Speaking to reporters, 12 leaders, including Ravivarma Kumar, Suresh Babu Patil, Kadidalu Shamanna and Basavaraja Thambake said that farmers were facing untold hardship due to wrong policies of the Government. They were not getting remunerative prices and sugar factories have refused to continue crushing activity and thousands of tonnes of sugarcane have dried up. The unfair lending practices of some private companies have forced farmers to commit suicide by charging exorbitant interests and harsh recovery measures, even as the governments have maintained a stoic silence. A high-level committee, comprising five members from each of these organisations would be constituted on January 11. It would guide the next course of action including its role in the next Assembly elections.

Mr. Ravivarma Kumar said that the leaders have come to a conclusion that political groups must come together to serve the cause of the farmers. He said Mr. Puttanniah and Mr. Chandrasekhar have agreed to work together. The farmers will lay a siege to Raj Bhavan on January 11, demanding a solution to the sugarcane growers.

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