'No more assurances, but implementation of welfare schemes'

Special Correspondent

Silchar, July 3: Agriculture is no more profitable to farmers of Cachar. They are virtually in a tight corner due mainly to the liberal policy of the government. The great mismatch between the cost of production and sale return has forced the peasantry class to sell off their products at a loss. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during last Lok Sabha election has promised the farmers of 50 % addition to cost of production by the government and purchase of their products at the initiative of the government.

Dulal Mitra, secretary, All India Kishan Sabha, Cachar district committee, describing the litany of agonies of the peasants, said even the recommendations of Dr Swaminathan Commission have not been given effect to. Nor has any positive decision taken to waive off the loans of the farmers. Not even a single assurances held out by the Prime Minister has been seen on the ground. During this period, Dulal Mitra lamented, more than 10,000 peasants have committed suicide. Ever escalating prices of essential commodities have brought in endless sufferings for the peasantry class and the common people. There is no indication of the implantation of pension for farmers. Their problem is further compounded by the decision of the Assam government to evict the helpless and shelter-less farmers and a sense of panic grips them.

AIKS makes strong plea for granting patta against the land to the landless people. There is no storage facility in Cachar for storing the agricultural products. There is no other state agency except FCI to purchase the paddy at panchayat level. Erosion by Barak and its tributaries continues to pose threat to the homesteads and landed properties of the poor agriculturalists. There is no minimum of effort to check it. Like previous years, during this monsoon, rural population has been badly hit in the revenue circles of Katigorah, Borkhola, Silchar, Udharbond, Sonai and Lakhipur. Still, many are marooned. 7 persons have lost their lives in this deluge.

AIKS leader alleges relief materials have been insufficient for the number of flood hit people sheltered in relief camps. Serious unemployment problem is stalking the youths in particular. Drastic curtailment of central allocation for MGNREGA has added to the crisis in job. Brokers and middlemen are active in many panchayats in working out MGNREGA. Subsidized sale of fertilizers, seeds, disinfectants among the farmers has almost come to a standstill. Connectivity in rural areas is in bad shape. There is shortage of drinking water and lack of medical facilities and health structure in primary and subsidiary health centres. PDS has almost collapsed. Food security scheme is mired in irregularities. Moreover, there is no social security for the unorganized workers. Tea workers are denied minimum wages and the wide disparity between the Brahmaputra and Barak valley persists.

AIKS points out there is no end to harassment of people in the name of NRC update and verification. People are spending their days in tension and panic. There is a deep conspiracy by vicious circles to stoke the flame of communalism with a view to creating disharmony and disunity among people. Considering the sufferings and agonies of peasantry class, AIKS has demanded a pragmatic solution to the allegations and non fulfillment of the assurances given by the Centre and the State for the socio economic amelioration of the peasantry class.