Centre sponsored schemes for farmers proved illusory: Tarigami

Srinagar, Jul 19 :  Alleging that much publicised Centre sponsored schemes for farmers have proved illusory, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) state president Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today said the real issue which farmers are facing and demanding since long is fair price for their produce. “Much publicised schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) have proved illusory,” said Mr Tarigami while addressing a one-day convention held by Jammu and Kashmir Kisan Tehreek (JKKT) in south Kashmir. In the case of PMFBY, Mr Tarigami, who is the lone CPI (M) MLA, said the allocation has overwhelmingly gone to pay private insurance companies rather than to benefit farmers. He said the present allocation for irrigation will not even mean Rs 10,000 per hectare of unirrigated land under PMKSY. “The real issue which farmers are facing and demanding since long is fair price for their produce by ensuring a minimum support price for all crops to cover the production plus 50 per cent profit,” he said. He demand despite repeated promise/assurances has not been conceded till date. Mr Tarigami stressed that all the kisan unions irrespective of their affiliations must come together for a united struggle to get their legitimate demands viz waiver of loans and minimum support price accepted. He appealed to the peasants/farmers to come out of any illusions and prepare for united struggles. UNI