Kavitha likely to face 1500 turmeric farmers

Hyderabad: It looks like Nizamabad sitting MP K Kavitha will likely face large number of turmeric farmers as her rival candidates in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. About 1,500 farmers are likely to file nominations. According to sources, the turmeric farmers are unhappy that the State government has not paid any heed to their demands mainly remunerative price to their produce despite several agitations conducted in last five years.

The farmers said that the government had foisted illegal cases against us and is harassing us whereas, the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh was giving bonus to help the turmeric farmers, but here the government is not bothered about our plight. As a mark of protest against the State and Union government's indifference towards their demand to provide remunerative price to produce, the turmeric farmers created a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to fight for their rights.

They were demanding that the government procure turmeric at Rs 10,000 per quintal directly from the farmers. The JAC is already mobilising funds to file nominations by the farmers in large number. Village Development committees have been requested to donate money from the local development fund. The JAC is also gathering at least 10 people to support and certify the nominations being filed by the farmers.