JOIN USStop shedding crocodile tears for farmers, Manju tells Yeddyurappa
Animal Husbandry Minister A Manju has accused Bharatiya Janata Party of betraying the farmers and neglecting their interests and asked the state leaders stop shedding crocodile tears.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Manju sought to know the basis on which BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa had been assuring waiver of loans availed by farmers only from cooperative banks, and keeping mum on the farm loans extended by the nationalised banks.
Yeddyurappa has been claiming that he would waive farmers’ loan if BJP comes to power in 2018.
Manju said that while crop loans taken by farmers from cooperative societies is Rs 11,000 crore, the volume of agrarian loans availed from nationalised banks and other central agencies is pegged at Rs 40,000 crore.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is ready to write off 50% of the farm loans but the Union government is reluctant, he said. The Centre’s move clearly shows that it is anti-farmer, Manju said.
‘Beef ban a political gimmick’
Opposing the gazette notification “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017” issued by the Union government, Manju said the Bill is “anti-farmer” and the rules were framed to further their (BJP) political cause, Manju said.
As per the Bill, the farmers are not supposed to sell their cattle to non-agriculturists and that they have to obtain certificate from veterinarians to sell the cattle. “No farmer will come forward to buy cattle which is unfit for agricultural activities,” Manju said.
The minister said that the Bill has been drafted by people who have little knowledge about the farmers and the cattle.
“When many are admitting their parents to old-age homes, how can farmers be expected to selflessly take care of barren cattle as it does not generate revenue,” he questioned.
Manju said, “We are against illegal cow slaughter and the state government has released Rs 1.6 crore to Mysuru Pinjarapole which shelters destitute cattle. Did Yeddyurappa sanction funds for rescuing stray cattle and providing them the shelter during his tenure as chief minister,” Manju sought to know.