Farmers’ meet voices serious concerns

Vikarabad: ‘Rythu Rajyam,’ a convention of farmers, was held at Chigullapalli Grounds near BJR Cross Roads on Sunday. The meeting demanded that the rural employment guarantee scheme be linked to agriculture works. It also sought 25 percentage reservation for children of farmers in employment. After successful meetings at Mahabubabad last year and at Kodad this year, the latest convergence of farmers of the region strongly put forth their demands. Their demands include supply of irrigation water from Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation scheme, construction of cold storages, warehouses, complete subsidy on drip irrigation equipment for small farmers.

Speakers at the meeting said that there is a progressive movement by farmers is firming up across the country. They cited examples of movements which yielded positive results for the community in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The speakers emphasised the need of unity among the farming community. They said that governments have been taking decisions in favour of farmers after the farmers expressed their wrath.

The meeting demanded a red gram board at Tandur and food processing units at Vikarabad, which can provide a mass employment in the region. The leaders criticised that all the governments have been encouraging only industries and business establishments but neglecting agriculture. The traders, not the producers, are deciding the price of produce, and hence grave injustice to the farming community. They called upon the farming community to be united to fulfil their demands. 

The programme was organised by ‘Rythu Rajyam’ founder Upender Reddy. Former chairman of Housing Board Bantaram Prabhakar Reddy, ex-municipal vice-chairman Chigullapalli Ramesh Kumar, Krishna Reddy, Narsimha Reddy and a large number of farmers were present.