‘Crops damaged, farmers worried’: Gujarat Congress starts Kisan Akrosh Yatra, lists demands from BJP govt

A statement by the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Thursday said, “The first Kisan Sabha was organised at Veraval (Gir-Somnath) under the leadership of GPCC President Amit Chavda. After that, the yatra started with the darshan of Somnath Dada (deity at the Somnath temple).”

The statement quoted Chavda as saying, “The condition of the farmers has become miserable due to unseasonal rains in the state, and the farmers are sitting with the hope of satisfactory assistance from the government, while the opposition is seeking assistance to the farmers and waiver of crop loans.”

The statement further added, “Due to unseasonal rains during the monsoon season, farmers have suffered a huge loss, especially crops like groundnut, soybean, cotton have been completely damaged and in many areas, winter crops like cumin are also being damaged due to unseasonal rains, due to which it will be difficult for farmers to earn a living during the year and there is a fear of major problems of fodder for cattle. Farmers are worried.”

This Yatra will pass through all the districts of Saurashtra and will convey the problems and demands of farmers, farm labourers, fishermen and cattle rearers to the government. The main issues raised by the Congress are that farmers get only 30 to 35 percent assistance promised to them and that because the crop insurance scheme has been closed since 2020, farmers have become completely dependent at the mercy of the government, said Congress spokesperson Hemang Raval.

In the statement, the Congress made eight demands of the BJP government.

1. Waive farmers’ debts: Just as the Manmohan Singh government waived off the debts of 72,000 crore farmers, the debts of Gujarat’s farmers should also be completely waived off.

2. Start crop insurance scheme immediately: It has been closed in Gujarat since 2020 – but is ongoing in the rest of the states of the country.

3. Direct assistance to farmers: Due to unseasonal rains, there is more moisture in groundnut – hence, relaxation in the support price criteria or direct deposit of assistance of Rs 1,35,000 to Rs 1,50,000 to each farmer.

4. Abolish false land measurement: Completely abolish false land measurement that creates quarrels between brothers.

5. Amendment to the Land Acquisition Act: The 2013 law has been repealed for industrialists – make a strict policy against the tyranny of solar, wind farm companies.

6. Curb fake seeds-medicines: Ensure availability of quality fertilisers by taking strict action against fake fertilizer, fake pesticides, seed mafia.

7. Assistance to animal husbandry: Provide subsidy in animal feed, fodder and milk. And fix the support price of milk, just like in Himachal Pradesh.

8. Compensation for fishermen and agricultural labourers: Compensation should also be given to fishermen and farm labourers due to unseasonal rains.