This story is from September 2, 2014

Farmers agitate over various demands outside collectorate

Member activists of the Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha Jilha Nashik, jointly with the Dindori Taluka Jyeshtha Nagarik Sanstha, held a protest at the district collectorate on Monday to raise various issues of senior citizens.
Farmers agitate over various demands outside collectorate
NASHIK: Member activists of the Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha Jilha Nashik, jointly with the Dindori Taluka Jyeshtha Nagarik Sanstha, held a protest at the district collectorate on Monday to raise various issues of senior citizens. The aim of the agitation was to make the government aware of their demands, which inlcudes pension of Rs 3,000 per month for senior citizens.
The protestors have launched a three-day fast for farmers and agricultural labourers demanding a law for the pension.

"The state and the central governments should take steps in this regard," said Raju Desle, president of the Maharashtra Rajya Kisan Sabha, Nashik.
Desle added that the land acquisition law was conceived in 2013. It states that land cannot taken into possession by the government unless 70% of farmers are ready to give it up. However, the law was in favour of corporates and so should be done away with, the members demanded.
They also demanded that the recommendations of the Swaminathan committee, which focuses on deciding a price 50% higher than the production cost, should be implemented. "The government has raised the minimum support value, while the expenses have increased. So the recommendations of the panel need to be implemented," Desle said.
The farmers also demanded that 10% of the total annual national budget be allotted to the agriculture sector and a separate budget in this regard be created. "Poor farmers depending on rain-fed agriculture should be given loans at 0% interest rates. Subsidies for seeds, fertilisers and technical items should be revised to previous rates. The incomplete water schemes of the state started for irrigation should be completed at a faster pace," he added.
Other demands also included subsidy of 70% on installation of solar water pumps from the state government, provision of affordable rates for agricultural products for sale and ensuring smooth water supply.
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