Bring uniform procurement policy: Rakesh Tikait

Hyderabad: Crop procurement is the responsibility of the Central government and it cannot come up with any excuses, said Bharatiya Kisan union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait. He was addressing TRS party leaders and cadre at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. The Centre cannot adopt one procurement plan for North and other for […]

Hyderabad: Crop procurement is the responsibility of the Central government and it cannot come up with any excuses, said Bharatiya Kisan union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait. He was addressing TRS party leaders and cadre at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday.

The Centre cannot adopt one procurement plan for North and other for different States, he said. “Like Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, we demand a uniform procurement policy. If there is no uniform policy, farmers have to hit the streets every harvesting season, demanding a remunerative price for their produce” Tikait said. Similarly, there should be a Minimum Support Price Guarantee Act to protect the farmers’ interests, the BKU national Spokesperson said.

---

After 13 months of agitation by the farmers, the Centre had assured to constitute a committee to address these issues but there was no development on the issue till date, he said. “I have also written a letter seeking guidelines and other details of the proposed committee but there is no reply so far,” Rakesh Tikait said. Telangana Government’s approach and policies towards the agricultural sector were good and need to be replicated across the nation, he said, citing the 24 hours free power supply to the farming community.

“Central government extends assistance of Rs 6, 000 to farmers in three installments annually and boasts a lot about it. On the other hand, the Telangana government extends Rs 10,000 per acre every year as investment support to the farmers,” pointed out Rakesh Tikait. Farmers have been fighting for their rights for years and they were struggling even today, he said. “What’s happening in the country? There is a need for another protest by farmers,” the BKU spokesperson said.

The Central government was least bothered about farmers’ welfare. It was more focused on instigating communal hatred and seeking votes, he lashed out at the BJP government. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was staging a protest, not for political mileage but to ensure farmers’ welfare, he stressed and said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also fighting on behalf of the farmers.

“I appreciate Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for fighting for farmers’ welfare and staging a protest in New Delhi. We will extend all support to the protest and will also support all those, who strive for farmers’ development,” added Rakesh Tikait raising “Jai Hind” and “Jai Telangana” slogans.

---

Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.

Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .

---