Sunday, January 27, 2008

VIDARBHA AGRARIAN CRISIS-agitation for farmers' loan waiver

Datta Meghe launches agitation for farmers' loan waiver

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/015200801271653.htm
Nagpur (PTI): Launching a sit-in to press for waiver of crop loans taken by farmers in the Vidarbha region, NCP Rajya Sabha MP Datta Meghe and former union Minister Mohan Dharia said they would launch a national movement if their demand was ignored.
Meghe's socio-political outfit, Vidarbha Pradesh Vikas Parishad on Saturday organised sit-in programmes at district head quarters all over Vidarbha as part of agitation and threatened to launch an all India level agitation if the Centre and state ignore their demand for loan waiver of distressed farmers.
Meghe and Dharia said the budget was slated for Feb 28 and if the government did not make necessary provision and announcement of loan waiver, they would launch agitation from March 1. Organisations working in the field of agriculture and farmers would be involved, they said.
Leaders in the farmers agitation, Vijay Jawandhia of Shetkari Sanghatana, Vijay Morey, Prakash Pohare, Chief editor of Marathi daily Deshoaanti, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti Ramdas Tadas, Sunil Shinde, both former legislators also addressed the gathering.
Earlier on Friday, Meghe and Dharia addressed similar meeting in Yavatmal and Wardha district.