Key Facts
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh – The Himachal Kisan Union, Mandi district, held its convention on Saturday under the chairmanship of district president Karmu Ram. During the meeting, Karmu Ram expressed deep concern over the worsening condition of farmers in the district due to bureaucratic apathy.
Details of the Crisis
Karmu Ram stated that after assuming office, he found the ground reality of farmers to be extremely pitiable. A 16-point demand letter was submitted to the government, which was accepted as legitimate and forwarded to departments for action. However, due to the stubborn attitude of officials, no improvement has been seen on the ground.
Referring to a statement by former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Karmu Ram said that 70 crore farmers in the country are forced to leave farming and work as laborers. The main reason, he said, is the stubborn attitude of officials. Because of the Agriculture Department's high-handedness, budgets worth lakhs of crores do not reach needy farmers in remote areas. He urged officials to step out of their offices and into the fields.
Impact on Farmers
The union demanded budget allocation to protect crops from wild animal attacks, construction of a farmer building in Mandi, and concrete measures to save agricultural land. Karmu Ram also criticized the milk purchase policy, stating that the government buys only 20 liters of milk per farmer and delays payment for three months, which is unjust.
What Readers Should Know
The union plans to present its demands before the Chief Minister soon. If these legitimate demands are not met, the union will expose the bureaucracy with data and launch an agitation against the government.
FAQ
What is the main issue raised by Karmu Ram?
Karmu Ram highlighted that farmers in Mandi are suffering due to bureaucratic high-handedness and neglect of their 16-point demand letter.
How many farmers are forced to leave farming in India according to Karmu Ram?
Karmu Ram stated that 70 crore farmers in the country are forced to leave farming and work as laborers.
What are the key demands of the Himachal Kisan Union?
The demands include budget allocation for crop protection from wild animals, construction of a farmer building in Mandi, and a fair milk purchase policy.
What action will the union take if demands are not met?
The union will expose officials with data and launch an agitation against the government.