The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Farmers need scientific pricing for their produce not loan waiver’

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Karnataka

‘Farmers need scientific pricing for their produce not loan waiver’

Staff Correspondent

It cannot be a permanent solution to the agrarian crisis: KRRS

Chitradurga: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha general secretary H.R. Basavarajappa has said that more than loan waiver farmers need scientific pricing for their produce as it (loan waiver) cannot be a permanent solution for the agrarian crises in the country.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, he said that in the absence of scientific prices for their produce, farmers had to seek waiver and other benefits such as free electricity.

Criticising the Union Budget which has provided for a waiver of Rs. 60,000 crore of farmers’ loan, he said that the budget was intended to gain votes and not a sincere effort to resolve farming problems. The budget was made with an eye on the general elections. It would not help a large farming community as the budget was not prepared considering various aspects of the problems facing the farmers, he remarked.

He also blamed the previous State Government for not taking up the cause of farmers who had been suffering due to lack of marketing facilities, non- remunerative prices and high cultivation cost.

To highlight these problems, and also public-concerned problems such as corruption, the sangha would hold a State-level unity convention in Bangalore on April 21, he said.

To a question, he said the allegations that there were factions within the sangha were not true. Mr. Basavarajappa said that the sangha was united in the fight for the cause of farmers and the public at large.

He said that the sangha would support Sarvodaya Paksha, which was formed by the sangha president Puttannaiah, in the Assembly elections. The sangha would not directly enter the fray as it was a non-political party.

Office-bearer J.M. Veerasanghaiah was present.

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