<p>Kalaburagi: The Kalaburagi bandh called by various farmer organisations here on Wednesday evoked a lukewarm response from the public. The protesters demanded special package for farmers who lost tur crop due to moisture deficiency. </p><p>Business activities were conducted as usual with no adverse impact on normal life. People showed little enthusiasm to participate in the bandh.</p><p>Health services, transportation, vegetable markets, schools, colleges, government offices, hotels and shopping malls functioned as usual.</p><p>Farmer leaders took out a procession from the central bus station to super market. </p><p>The bandh was supported by Tur Growers’ Association, Food Grains & Seed Traders’ Association, Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Grocery Traders’ & Owners’ Association, Kirana Bazaar Traders’ Association, Dal Mill Association and Rice Traders’ Association. Trading at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC)premises was stopped. </p><p>Tight police security</p><p>Tight police security was arranged during the procession as a precautionary measure. No untoward incidents were reported. </p><p>“The government has not responded despite repeated pleas for an increase in the support price and a special package for farmers. The union government is providing support price only for name’s sake and offering a price much less than the rate prevailing in the market. The MSP should be revised to Rs 12,500 per quintal. The government should come to the rescue of the distraught farmers”, they demanded.</p><p>Karnataka Pranta Raita Sangha district president Sharanabasappa Mamashetty urged the government to increase the minimum support price for the crop. He said, the union government must immediately drop anti-farmer policies. The import of tur should be stopped. Pulses Development Board has to be strengthened with adequate financial resource and it should operate on the model of the KMF, he added.</p><p>“Tur crop in two lakh hectare out of more than six lakh hectare has been damaged in the district due to moisture deficiency. The central government should announce Rs 1,000 per quintal as incentive apart from an increase in minimum support price and loan waiver for farmers. The state government should also provide Rs 500 per quintal as revolving fund as the farmers are in distress due to fall in the price of tur crop”, the leaders demanded. Farmer leaders Bhimashankar Madiyal, S R Kolluru, Maulamulla, Mobin Ahmad and Mahantesh Jamadar were present. </p>
<p>Kalaburagi: The Kalaburagi bandh called by various farmer organisations here on Wednesday evoked a lukewarm response from the public. The protesters demanded special package for farmers who lost tur crop due to moisture deficiency. </p><p>Business activities were conducted as usual with no adverse impact on normal life. People showed little enthusiasm to participate in the bandh.</p><p>Health services, transportation, vegetable markets, schools, colleges, government offices, hotels and shopping malls functioned as usual.</p><p>Farmer leaders took out a procession from the central bus station to super market. </p><p>The bandh was supported by Tur Growers’ Association, Food Grains & Seed Traders’ Association, Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Grocery Traders’ & Owners’ Association, Kirana Bazaar Traders’ Association, Dal Mill Association and Rice Traders’ Association. Trading at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC)premises was stopped. </p><p>Tight police security</p><p>Tight police security was arranged during the procession as a precautionary measure. No untoward incidents were reported. </p><p>“The government has not responded despite repeated pleas for an increase in the support price and a special package for farmers. The union government is providing support price only for name’s sake and offering a price much less than the rate prevailing in the market. The MSP should be revised to Rs 12,500 per quintal. The government should come to the rescue of the distraught farmers”, they demanded.</p><p>Karnataka Pranta Raita Sangha district president Sharanabasappa Mamashetty urged the government to increase the minimum support price for the crop. He said, the union government must immediately drop anti-farmer policies. The import of tur should be stopped. Pulses Development Board has to be strengthened with adequate financial resource and it should operate on the model of the KMF, he added.</p><p>“Tur crop in two lakh hectare out of more than six lakh hectare has been damaged in the district due to moisture deficiency. The central government should announce Rs 1,000 per quintal as incentive apart from an increase in minimum support price and loan waiver for farmers. The state government should also provide Rs 500 per quintal as revolving fund as the farmers are in distress due to fall in the price of tur crop”, the leaders demanded. Farmer leaders Bhimashankar Madiyal, S R Kolluru, Maulamulla, Mobin Ahmad and Mahantesh Jamadar were present. </p>
