People's Democracy

Chalk Out Contingency Plans On Drought

THE All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has demanded the central and state governments to chalk out contingency plans to meet the serious situation arising out of the drought conditions prevailing in most parts of the country. These plans should address giving proper compensation to peasants for the loss of crop besides supply of new seeds.

As the situation needed to be tackled on a ‘war footing’, the kisan sabha has called upon all the members and units of AIKS to undertake a country wide campaign pressing for immediate relief to the peasants and agricultural workers of the drought affected states.

In a statement released on July 21, the AIKS termed the situation as "grave" and the response of many governments to it, as "inadequate". It demanded adequate fund allotment by the centre to drought-affected states besides the "emergency relief fund" which is much less than the need of the day for most of these states.

"Along with the onslaught of the government policies, peasants in India are severely affected by floods and droughts alternatively, almost every year. This year it is the turn of drought almost all over India. According to reports, 25 meteorological divisions out of 36 remain practically dry, covering the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh. Of the seventy major reservoirs, except for Bhakhrananagal, water level in the remaining averaged a disturbing 66 per cent. Crop situation is very bad. Soyabeen, oilseeds, pulses and paddy have already borne the brunt and crores of rupees loss is expected in these crops alone. Since there is no 'early warning system' the peasants who have planted crops expecting rain were at a big loss." noted the statement.

AIKS has also demanded that governments should exempt the peasants from tax collection, loan recovery in the affected areas. It also said that tenants should be exempted to pay tenancy for this season and that a contingency plan to give employment for the worst affected agricultural workers in the drought hit areas with a proper "food for work" scheme with the huge stock of paddy and wheat in the godowns is immediately needed.