TDP-led coordination panel formed to address farmers' issues

The committee, to be headed by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, will organise seminars and conventions across the country on farmers' issue and draw the Centre's attention towards the "gravest situation of agrarian crisis".

Besides TDP, the committee will be represented by political parties such as CPI, CPI-M, JD(U), JD(S), INLD, RSP and Forward Bloc and various farmers organisations.

At its first meeting here, the committee decided to raise the agrarian crisis in the Winter Session of Parliament and even "paralyse" the House if need arose.

"The entire farming community is in problem today. The Centre and state governments are not doing enough to protect farmers interests. So, we have decided to form this committee to work for the welfare of farmers," Naidu told a press conference after the meeting.

He said the committee will demand that a special session of Parliament be convened to discuss the M S Swaminathan Report on Agriculture in the country and another by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

"These reports have suggested measures that would help farmers. But no action has been taken on these reports so far. We will be raising all these issues in Parliament," he said.

Naidu also said the Centre should set aside Rs 1 lakh crore for setting up agriculture infrastructure.

Yechury said the government should give "highest priority" to farmers issues and try to solve their problems. "India cannot become part of the Asian Century if the farmers issues are not resolved. Their survival is important for the country," he said.