News Flash
February 21
Reported: Vishal Mayur
Farmers Demand Legal Protection for Minimum Support Price Amidst Accusations of Begging
Bengaluru: Farmers in Delhi are not begging; they are demanding a minimum support price guarantee law set by the government itself," said Kurubur Shanthakumar, President of the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers, at the Press Club during the press conference.
Shanthakumar underscored the need for statutory protection for the MSP, which currently covers 23 crops as set by the Central Government. Criticizing the derogatory labels placed on protesting farmers, such as terrorists and traitors, he condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Delhi.
He urged the government to consider the welfare of farmers seriously, advocating for a complete waiver of farmers' loans, implementation of the Swaminathan report on MSP, and withdrawal from certain WTO agreements affecting agricultural policies. Furthermore, he called for improvements in the Fasal Bima crop insurance scheme and support for families of farmers who lost their lives during the protests.
Highlighting international pressure on India's sugarcane pricing policies at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Shanthakumar revealed plans for farmer representatives, including himself, to attend discussions in Abu Dhabi.
He urged unity among farmers in the state, cautioning against political exploitation of their struggles. He called upon citizens to support the farmers' cause rather than criticize them, emphasizing the interconnectedness of agricultural issues with broader societal welfare.