Periscope: Farmers' stir in Rajasthan

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) will start an indefinite strike on Thursday in Rajasthan

Farmers’ stir

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), the peasants’ wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is gearing up for a showdown with the Rajasthan government. The organisation will start an indefinite strike on Thursday at all divisional headquarters against the government's "anti-farmer policies".

Members of the organisation say the government's apathetic attitude towards the problems of farmers is compelling the newer generations to give up agriculture. They alleged that farmers were not getting even the minimum support price for their produce. "In Nagaur and Bikaner, only 1.5 per cent of the moong production was purchased by the government at MSP," said Raghuvir Singh Shekhawat, a senior functionary of the organisation.

The organisation has put forth six demands: Call a special session of the Vidhan Sabha to debate farmers’ issues; amend electricity policy to give farm connections; give up induction of GM mustard seeds; improve irrigation facilities; give a bonus on milk production and fix MSP of crops 50 per cent over the cost price.

On track

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kochi Metro project on Saturday. The inaugural function of the 13-km Aluva-Palarivattom corridor will be held at Aluva in Ernakulam district. Kochi Metro, which secured the green signal from the rail safety panel, had begun trial service recently on the corridor.  A controversy had erupted over the inauguration after the Kerala leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party had alleged that the state government wanted to inaugurate the project by this month end when the Prime Minister would be away on a European tour. The state government had recently given clearance for the extension of the Phase-II of the Kochi Metro.