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Special package for rain-hit areas announced by Siddaramaiah government

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Photo: IE

Photo: IE

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Monday announced a special package for farmers affected by untimely rain and hailstorm in north Karnataka. In a prolonged debate in the Legislative Council on the issue of crop loss suffered by farmers of eight districts due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he will shortly announce the package details.

“The crop loss this time is unprecedented and severe. I am waiting for the joint survey report from the agriculture, horticulture and revenue departments to announce the package,” he said.

Revenue Minister V. Srinivas Prasad said the State will also be presenting a memorandum to the Centre urging for a special package for the losses suffered by the farmers, apart from that which is given under the National Disaster Relief Fund and the State Disaster Relief Fund.

He said preliminary reports suggested as many as 14 persons, 90 cattle heads, 774 homes, 55,405.88 hectares of agriculture land and 1,433.85 hectares of horticulture crops have been destroyed. The value of damaged agriculture land, due to heavy rain, is estimated to be Rs. 350 crore. Similarly, the value of horticulture crops lost due to the same rain is Rs. 15 crore.

The combined Opposition of the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, however, staged a walkout for not waiving loans of farmers who have lost their crops in the heavy rain and hailstorm. However, Mr. Siddaramaiah said it was impossible to waive the loans.

(Agencies)

Concern for farmers as land bill being changed: Rahul Gandhi

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Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: It is a matter of concern for farmers that the land bill is being changed, said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi while addressing his first rally on Sunday after a leave of absence of nearly two months.

Gandhi spoke about the Land Acquisition Act 2013, brought in by the UPA government, and charged the NDA government of working in the interests of the rich.

“Land Acquisition Act 2013 is being changed …it’s also cause of concern for you,” he said, adding that the rest of industry came only after farming which laid the foundation of the country.

Speaking at the well-attended Kissan Khet Majdoor rally at Ramlila Maidan here, he said that the central government was anti-farmer and anti-poor as it can’t see “the efforts they made to establish the country”.

Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a three-nation tour, made comments saying that he was clearing the mess of the last 50 years in the country.

“I feel sad to hear this as prime minister can’t see the efforts of the poor and the farmers who actually laid the foundation of the country,” he said.

Gandhi said that the poor and the farmers were feeling afraid under the present regime as they don’t know what’s going to happen to them next.

He also talked about how the UPA government worked for the poor and the farmers of the country.

“It’s a country of farmers and labourers,” he said.

(IANS)

Kannada actors among hundreds of farmers arrested for anti-Modi protest

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Photo Caption

Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada actor Leelavathi and her son, Vinod Raj, were arrested and later released by the city police as they tried to march with protesting farmers towards the hotel where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was put up for the BJP national executive in the city.

The farmers, led by Kodihalli Chandrashekar, had been on an indefinite fast for three days protesting against the ordinance passed by the Union government on the Land Bill Nine farmers have reported ill and are being treated at Bowring Hospital.

Ms. Leelavathi said that she had chosen to be a farmer and was appalled at the ordinance, which she termed “anti-farmer”, which prompted her to support the farmer’s agitation.

Mr. Vinod Raj said that in their village — Soladevanahalli, the Forest Department had been trying to evict farmers claiming the land belonged to it.

“We have been seeing the plight of the farmers for possession of their land; their lifeline has been threatened. So we have come to the streets to protest the new ordinance,” he said.

Along with them, hundreds of farmers were arrested and later released. Mr. Chandrashekar was critical that Mr. Modi did not meet any farmer delegation from the State.

(Agencies)

Siddaramaiah announces Pashu Bhagya scheme for farmers

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Photo: IE

Photo: IE

Bengaluru: Presenting his state budget for 2015-16, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced Pashu Bhagya scheme to provide subsidies to farmers to set up cattle, sheep, goat, pig and poultry units.

The new scheme, which was announced in the State budget-2015 presented by the chief minister, seeks to provide subsidy to the tune of 33 per cent to farmers from the Scheduled Castes/Tribes and 25 per cent to other small and marginal farmers on the loans to a maximum extent of Rs. 1.20 lakh availed from commercial banks.

The Chief Minister also announced setting up of a Centralised Helpline facility to provide veterinary services at the farmers’ doorsteps by levying service charges.

Similarly, it has also been proposed to provide interest-free short-term loans through co-operative banks on the lines of crop loans for taking care of expenses towards cattle feed and other maintenances. To encourage sheep/goat rearing, grants to the Karnataka Sheep and Wool Development Corporation has been proposed to be increased by fourfold. In the present year, an allocation of Rs. 25 crore would be made to this Corporation.

The budget also proposes to widen the network of Karnataka Milk Federation by setting up 750 new milk producers’ co-operative societies in north Karnataka at a cost of Rs. 16 crore.

(Agencies)

Opposition rejects Land Bill, dubs govt move 'pro-corporate'

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india-parliament

New Delhi: Opposition in Lok Sabha today tore into the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, saying its “draconian” and “anti-poor” provisions would have a deleterious effect on India’s food security.

The Opposition members, ranging from the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) to the Left, BJD and AIADMK, launched a tirade against the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015, which was moved for consideration and passing by Rural Development Minister Birender Singh.

Several opposition members particularly opposed the NDA government’s move to do away with Section 2 and 3A of the existing land acquisition law which provided for social impact assessment before land transfer and safeguarding the interest of farmers.

Participating in the discussion, Jyotiraditya Scindia (Congress) said the law in its present form would allow private entities to take away multi-crop land, which will put at stake food security of the people of the country.

“Is the government trying to reduce this country to an importer of foodgrains? If this bill gets passed, farmers will give up all expectations from this country,” Scindia said.

Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) accused the government of taking away farmers’ rights and said his government will oppose the Bill “tooth and nail” to safeguard their interests.

“This government is for the corporates, this government is anti-poor, anti-farmers and will sell the country to industrialists,” Banerjee said.

Opposing the “draconian” provision, C N Jayadevan (CPI-M) said the rehabilitation and compensation as provided in the Bill would adversely affect the interest of farmers. The government has a clear intention to have a “pro-corporate and anti-farmer” land acquisition law, he said.

The Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to replace an Ordinance issued in December to amend the Land Act 2013, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 24.

Along with the Bill, the House today took up a statutory resolution, moved by NDA partner Swabhimani Paksha and Opposition parties like Congress, CPI(M), TMC, RSP and BJD, disapproving it.

The amendments, among other things, seek to exempt social impact SURVEYS FOR land acquisition for five purposes including industrial corridor, rural infrastructure and housing for poor.

As the Minister moved the Bill for consideration, Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that he should explain some provisions of the Bill before a discussion could be initiated. Singh, however, said he would speak only when he replies to the debate.

During the discussion, K N Ramachandran (AIADMK) dubbed some of the amendments as “ultra-reformist” and said his party had strong reservations against exempting land acquisition by private hospitals and private educational institutions.

Tathagata Satpathy (BJD) said the amendments were detrimental to the interests of the poor who would lose their land without compensation.

Accusing the government of not discussing with the opposition parties before going ahead with the amendments to the Land Act, Scindia said the NDA government’s slogan of ‘sabka sath, sabka vikas’ (support of all, development for all) has “fallen flat on the face as it was now ignoring the interest of farmers”.

65 per cent of India’s population was dependent on agriculture, but the government is only thinking about the corporates, the Congress leader said.

Citing earlier instances of several BJP members opposing dilution of the consent clause and no social impact assessment when the UPA was in power, Scindia said these members are now doing a “U-turn” and supporting the amendments to the Bill.

“Through the amendments, you have made the Bill look like a body ripping it of its flesh and blood,” he said, appealing to the members to vote against the amendments when the Bill comes up for passage tomorrow.

Under the amended law, the mandatory “consent” clause and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) will not be applicable if the land is acquired for five purposes.

The measure to replace the ordinance makes significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas — industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.

The amendments bring 13 legislations, including those relating to defence and national security, to provide higher compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement benefits to farmers whose land is being acquired, under the Centre’s purview.

(PTI)

Arvind Kejriwal, political leaders join Anna Hazare's protest on second day

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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and MDMK chief Vaiko share stage with Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar. (ANI Twitter photo)

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and MDMK chief Vaiko share stage with Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar. (ANI Twitter photo)

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today joined Anna Hazare on his second day of protest against the contentious land ordinance and shared the dais with the social activist.

Kejriwal was among a host of leaders cutting across party lines who joined the agitation on a day the government introduced the contentious land acquisition bill in Lok Sabha amid a walk out by the opposition.

Though Hazare had earlier ruled out sharing stage with any politician, political leaders including CPI’s Atul Anjan and Vaiko of MDMK were among those sitting on the dais.

Before beginning his protest today, Hazare said people from political parties were welcome to join the agitators but will not share the stage with him and made it clear that he would not allow any political colour to the agitation.

He accused the NDA government of not heeding to farmers’ interests.

Yesterday, Hazare had said a jail-bharo movement will be launched from the Ramlila Ground after carrying out “padyatra” across the country for three-four months.

Accusing the government of only caring for corporates, Hazare said he will not relent till government withdraws the controversial ordinance.

“The political parties are of the country only. And, people running the government are also from the country. The people who suffer injustice are also from this country. And, so if farmers are meted out injustice and if everyone comes together to fight injustice, then what is the problem,” Hazare told reporters.

(PTI)

Anna Hazare to protest in Jantar Mantar against land ordinance

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anna-hazare

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare will hold a two-day protest at Jantar Mantar in February against the recent amendments in the Land Acquisition Act by the Centre.

The agitation will be supported by several farmers’ organisations and many other social activists including Medha Patkar will participate in it.

“The two-day protest starting February 23 will focus on the recent anti-farmers amendments in the Land Acquisition Act made by the Narendra Modi government. Farmer organisations across the country will participate in the agitation. Medha Patkar is also expected to join the agitation,” Hazare’s office said.

Hazare will reach the national capital on the morning of February 23. Prior to this, he will go to Palwal in Haryana and participate in a farmers’ agitation there.

This will be Hazare’s first visit to the national capital after the landslide victory of his one time aide and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Incidentally, the AAP too have voiced his opposition to the amendments made in the Land Acquisition Act.

“We will support Annaji’s ‘sangharsh’. We respect him. Whatever order he gives, I will follow it. We support his stand and his order is an instruction for us. His struggle is, however, away from political parties. Still, I will ask time from him and if he gives me time then I will certainly meet him. I request everyone to support him in his crusade,” senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said.

On December 29 last year, the government had recommended promulgation of an ordinance making significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas of industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.

(PTI)

SC slams Centre: 100 Crore for R-Day parade, but no compensation to farmers

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Make in India tableau

New Delhi: The Supreme Court slammed the Union government today for spending crores on the Republic Day parade but delaying the payment of compensation to farmers for land acquired from them.

“You spend Rs. 100 crores on Republic Day parade but when it comes to payment of compensation to farmers, you file appeals,” Chief Justice HL Dattu told the Centre.

The court’s observation came during a hearing of the Defence Ministry’s appeals relating to compensation to farmers on land acquisition in cantonment areas in Punjab.

The Punjab and Haryana high court had awarded a substantial compensation to farmers and the ministry had appealed against it.

But the Supreme Court declined to interfere, saying, “farmers are deprived of reasonable compensation”. The government, the court said, spends “so much money on litigations” but “takes a different stand” when it comes to paying farmers.

The Chief Justice also criticised the Union government for not creating enough infrastructure for the functioning of tribunals. “If you are unable to provide accommodation, why create such tribunals?” the court said.

Justice Dattu said recently, a retired Supreme Court Judge who was appointed on a tribunal, was not provided accommodation.

“I am anguished that you are pushing them (Judges) to Commonwealth village. Why different treatment for them? You must create infrastructure before creating tribunals,” the court said.

(Agencies)

Maharashtra farmer climbs on burning pyre, ends life

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Maharashtra-farmer

Yavatmal: A debt-ridden farmer from a village in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region climbed on a lit pyre and committed suicide on Wednesday, the second such incident since November last year, an activist said here on Thursday.

Anandrao S Pandagle, 45, a resident of Bhambh village, is survived by his wife and three teenaged daughters, said Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti chief Kishore Tiwari.

Preliminary police investigations revealed he had farm debts of Rs 50,000 and was trying to collect another Rs 12,000 for his eldest daughter’s marriage.

“He was alone at home, poured kerosene on himself, prepared and lit his own funeral pyre before climbing on it… By the time locals rushed to help, he was burnt to death,” Tiwari told a news agency.

This is the second instance of its kind in the region.

On November 28 last year, 75-year old farmer Kashiram B Indare of Manarkhed village lit his own funeral pyre in a field. Earlier presumed missing, his charred remains were discovered after a couple of days.

Vidarbha has been rocked by five more suicides since Wednesday, according to Tiwari, even as the desperate farmers’ patience was running out in the wake of official apathy to their plight.

The victims are: Ramkrishan Bhalavi of Talni village and Ambadas Wahile of Gunji village, both in Amravati district; Sanju Gawande of Saikheda village in Washim district; Vijay Tadas of Ghorad village and Nanaji Ingole of Kanheri village, both in Wardha district.

In December, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the state government on the issue of debt-ridden farmers’ suicides in Maharashtra following a public interest litigation filed by a lawyer RU Upadhyay.

Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission has also sent a notice to the state government seeking a report on the incident, even as the spate of farmland suicides continues unabated in Maharashtra.

Last week, the Shiv Sena strongly criticized it ruling ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, for ignoring the plight of the farmers though Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hails from the Vidarbha region.

(IANS)

Eight Vidarbha farmers have committed suicide in last four days: Activist

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A farmer in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Photo: Hemant Mishra/Mint

A farmer in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Photo: Hemant Mishra/Mint

Nagpur: At least eight debt-ridden farmers in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region ended their lives in the past four days, including four who committed suicide Wednesday, an activist said.

“The bodies of two farmers were brought early today (Wednesday) from Bodadi and Sonegaon villages of Yavatmal district. As the autopsy was being carried out, two more bodies were received at the V.N. Government Medical College — all within a couple of hours,” Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) president Kishore Tiwari told IANS.

The farmers who died Wednesday were identified as Bansi Rathode of Bodadi, Devrao Bhagwat of Sonegaon, Prakash Kutarmare of Mohada and Tulsiram Rathode of Devnala, according to VJAS secretary Mohan Jadhav.

Tiwari said four farmers committed suicide earlier this week — two each Jan 25 and Jan 27 — in different parts of Vidarbha.

“We have no information if anyone committed suicide on Republic Day (Jan 26) as it was a public holiday, and the government was busy with celebrations,” Tiwari said.

He attributed the spate of suicides in Vidarbha and other farmlands of Maharashtra to the sudden fall in prices of cotton and pulses.

Claiming that 62 farmers have ended their lives since Jan 1, Tiwari said 2015 could create a new record after 2013 when Maharashtra topped the National Crime Records Bureau figure for maximum farmland suicides at 3,146.

Jadhav said he was informed by the relatives of the farmers that they committed suicide “due to immense distress and despair” among their debt-hit families .

The VJAS leaders said they apprehend the worst with the oncoming summer season when the farming community has to grapple with scorching heat coupled with acute shortage of water.

(IANS)

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