The government must give up its policy of bias between the small and big farmers as well as its policy of divide and rule,” said Karnataka State Raitha Sangha working president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar and general secretary H R Basavarajappa.

Speaking at a press meet organised on Sunday, they said due to the unscientific agricultural policy of the government, the small farmers as well as the big farmers are equally facing problems. Hence, without being biased against either the small or the big farmers, their farm loans must be waived, they demanded the government.

Agricultural policy

If the prices of farm products are fixed scientifically, the farmers will not be forced to beg for loan waivers. The government which has caused difficulties for farmers by buying their valuable farm products at very low rates must now shoulder the responsibility of bailing them out of the problem. The division in the Raitha Sangha has led to the implementation of various anti-farmer policies. The amendments brought to the Land Reforms Act, Seed Act and Patent Act by the government has helped only multinational companies and large entrepreneurs, they criticised.Through contract farming and company farming, the farmers’ land is being snatched away from them. Foreseeing this trick, both the divisions of the Raitha Sangha have set aside their differences to reunite. The loan waiver announced by the Central government in its budget will not be of much help to the farmers.

It is a step taken in view of the forthcoming elections. The State will be entitled to only Rs 150 crore fund for the waiver, he explained.

Political facet:

The raitha Sangha will not directly contest elections and will remain as an association which fights for rights of farmers. However, it will extend full support to its political wing, Sarvodaya party. The party has prepared itself to fight from 30-40 constituencies in the State.

The party will not join hands with either the Congress party or BJP, but will forge alliances with various associations, regional parties and Communist party after holding talks. The Sarvodaya party is committed to protecting the land, people, language and water of the region, he claimed.

The district administration is being irresponsible with regard to sugarcane growers in the district. It has not yet convened a meeting of the sugarcane growers. It has also not estimated the losses caused to coffee growers and other crops. The administration must immediately conduct a survey of the losses and a send a report to the government, they demanded. Sarvodaya party treasurer Chandregowda, Sangha district president Vinayak Malurudinne, vice-president M Mahesh were present.