Farmers Movement Archive

Modi government trying to make farmers labourers: Congress

KORHA (KATIHAR): Former Union minister and Bihar Congress incharge Bhakta Charan Das on Wednesday led a padyatra of around 800 party workers and supporters from Charkhi Mor to Gerabari Chowk under Korha block of the district against the controversial three farm laws passed by the Centre. The padyatra caused traffic snarl on Gerabari-Katihar road as well as on NH-31 for a brief period, causing inconvenience to the commuters. Congress legislature party leader Ajeet Sharma, party’s state president Madan Mohan Jha, party MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan among others accompanied Das. The Congress workers carried placards with slogans like ‘Hum kisano ke saath hain’ (we are with farmers). Talking to this newspaper, Das said, “India is the land of farmers. Over 62 crore people in the country have been employed in the agriculture sector, which is the prime source of traditional income for them. But, the Modi government is trying to make farmers majdoors (labourers). Introduction of contract farming will make farmers labourers.” Criticizing the state government policy on paddy procurement, Das said, “Mandis and marketing boards in Bihar were abolished. Now, the government has no responsibility to procure paddy and other foodgrains. The primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACSs) procured just one per cent of paddy in the state last year. Now, the matters related to farming will be referred to a revenue court, which is controlled by officials, who will not give judgement in favour of farmers. The law court will be the only forum for redressal of farmers’ grievances,” he said. “The civil court’s jurisdiction is being abolished. The country’s economy is being relegated to a few favourite corporate hands of the Modi government,” Das alleged. Earlier, a minor ruckus took place between two groups of the Congress supporters over remarks on party’s Manihari MLA Manohar Prasad Singh. Later, the issue was resolved.

The Times of India

2021-02-25

Patna