Himachal farmers to start stir if demands are not met soon, says Rakesh Tikait

Kullu, June 24

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said today that farmers would start an agitation against the government in Himachal if their demands were not met soon.

Tikait, while addressing mediapersons here, alleged that the farmers of Himachal were not getting fair prices for their crops. “Big business houses buy apples at low rates from farmers, stock them and later sell them at high prices to consumers.

The MSP should be paid on vegetables and fruits as well. The MSP for apple should be increased. The MSP should also be fixed for milk, eggs, fish etc. Transport subsidy should be provided to farmers and the Swaminathan Committee report should be implemented on priority”.

He said farmer associations would be strengthened. He would meet various farmer unions during his six-day tour. He added that farmers would be mobilised and roads would be blocked under the Apna Gaon Apni Sadak campaign.

He said farmers would protest in their villages. He added that a draft would be prepared in consultation with various farmer unions and submitted to the government. Protests would be intensified if the government fails to find a concrete solution to the grievances of the farmers.

Tikait said that the Kisan Sanyukt Morcha was a non-political and it would not favour or support any political party in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

On the list

• The MSP should be paid on vegetables and fruits
• The support price for apple should be increased
• The MSP should also be fixed for milk, eggs, fish, etc
• Transport subsidy should be provided to farmers
• The Swaminathan Committee report should be implemented on priority