People's Democracy

(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Vol. XXIX

No. 34

August 21, 2005

  Kisan & Agr Workers Convention For Joint Movement

 

A JOINT convention of kisan and agricultural workers organisations will be held in New Delhi on August 23 to chalk out a joint movement on the problems facing the peasantry.

 

This was decided at a joint meeting of Kisan and Agricultural workers’ organisations held on August 1, 2005, at 4 Ashoka Road, New Delhi, which was attended by S Ramachandran Pillai, K Varadha Rajan, N K Shukla (AIKS), Atul Kumar Anjan (AIKS - 4, Windsor Place), Sunnet Chopra (AIAWU), Bir Singh Mahato (AIAKS) and Abani Roy (SKS). Some other progressive farmers’ organisations have also been invited to this convention.

 

The main demands to be taken up in the convention for future campaign and agitation were finalised in this meeting. They are:

  1. The central government must discuss with farmers’ organisations of the country about the issues to be taken at the Ministerial conference of WTO in Hong Kong.

  2. Radically change the proposed Seed Bill 2004 and bring a new pro-farmer bill.

  3. Increase subsidies on fertilisers, pesticides and other inputs required for agriculture. 

  4. Stop the move to cut food subsidies. PDS must be made transparent and further strengthened.

  5. Procurement on MSP should be widened and assured. Guarantee the remunerative prices to the farmers.

  6. More credit facilities must be assured for rural sector through public financial institutions on reduced interest rate.

  7. Cooperative institutions, particularly Primary Agricultural C-operative Societies (PACS) be strengthened and financially helped.

  8. Implement Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme for all crops and all farmers.

  9. Financial allocations must be increased for infrastructural development like irrigation and power.

  10. Employment Guarantee Scheme be implemented as promised in Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

  11. Stop reversal of land reforms and implement radical land reforms throughout the country.

  12. Protect the rights of ST, SC and other poorer sections. Their evictions from forests must be stopped.

  13.  Enact and implement and central legislation for agricultural workers.

After thoroughly discussing the issues, the convention will chalk out further programme of campaigns and agitation.