Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Terming the Union Budget 2018-19 presented by Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, earlier this month as anti-farmer, J&K Kisan Tehreek (JKKT) organized a protest demonstration at Press Club, here today.
Scores of farmers and their leaders today assembled in front of Press Club and raised slogans against the Union Budget. Terming the budget as disappointing, hollow and anti-farmer, State secretary, JKKT, GN Malik, said the budgetary proposals for agriculture are aimed to help the corporate agri-businesses and has no vision for promoting farmers’ welfare.
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Calling the budget a capitulation to corporate interests, he said Jaitley dashed the hopes of farmers who were expecting loan waivers. “Jaitley has resorted to lies and deceit to betray farmers who have been reeling under acute agrarian crisis. The budget has failed to deliver on the demands of the farmers, agricultural workers and the poor”, he added.
Malik stated that the budget is a mockery to the farmers because only sometime back, the Government in writing had informed the Supreme Court that it is not in a position to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission but now Jaitley claims to have already implemented it.
He said that the first and foremost betrayal of Government is on the demand of the peasantry for Assured Remunerative Prices. Secondly, the Government has betrayed the farming community and rural poor by refusing to announce any policy for liberation from indebtedness for the peasantry. Thirdly, the agricultural workers and rural poor who have seen falling incomes and increasing migration have nothing in the budget.
Kishor Kumar, president, JKKT, demanded the Government to provide proper mandis (market) to the farmers for their produce and increase the rate of Khair plants/trees, mostly produced in districts of Kathua, Samba, Reasi, and Udhampur. “The Government should also provide adequate funds for research and development in agriculture to encourage organic farming so that flora and fauna is protected”, he added.
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