People's Democracy

  AIKS CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. The government should come out with a white paper on the ongoing discussions in the WTO and should discuss with all stakeholders before a final decision is taken on the stand of the government of India in the ministerial conference of WTO in Hong Kong.

2. The Seed Bill 2004 is anti-peasant and takes away the birthright of the peasants to produce, save, exchange and sell seeds. The MNC and domestic seed companies will get perpetual monopoly rights on seed production. The government should withdraw this bill.

3. The government should not reduce the subsidies on food distribution and fertilisers. The open ended procurement system should be continued.

4. The Agricultural Produce Marketing Act amendments are against the interests of the peasantry. The Marketing Act should protect the interests of the producers and consumers.

5. The government should help the cooperative system existing in our country. More institutional credit facilities should be provided in the rural part of the country.

6. The National Employment Guarantee Bill should be immediately passed.

7. Land and forest rights should be ensured to the tribal people. The present Forest Act should be suitably amended to protect the interests of the peasant occupiers.

The council also adopted two resolutions:

1. Expressing solidarity with the fighting peasants in Rajasthan; and

2. The central and state government of Uttarakhand should take appropriate steps for the agricultural development in the state and try to solve the problems of the peasantry.