Farmers threaten to block highways if land bill not withdrawn

Accusing NDA Government of introducing "anti-farmer" policies during its one-year tenure, a union of farmers' bodies today threatened to block highways on September 30 if their demands, including, withdrawal of land acquisition bill and waiving off loans were not met.
The All India Coordination Committee of Farmers Movement (AICCFM) accused Government of not engaging in dialogues with peasants over their issues, which the union said, formed part of BJP's agenda for Lok Saba polls held last year.
"We want to speak to the Prime Minister, the Government of India. We want to speak to them on the issues mentioned in the ruling party's agenda which they had declared in the run up to Lok Sabha polls.

"If the Government does not heed to our demands by September 30, we will block highways in the country for four hours against its anti-farmer policies," said Rakesh Tikait, national spokesman of Bhartiya Kisan Union which is part of the AICCFM.
Centre's alleged ignorant approach towards farmers won't be tolerated, Tikait said.
He said the peasants insist on complete withdrawal of land acquisition bill, providing remunerative prices for farm produces, waiving off loans, framing policy to compensate loss due to natural calamity, not allowing trade liberalisation in agriculture, instituting farmers' commission, paying arrears to sugarcane farmers, etc.
The farmers also demanded Centre to ensure there is no discrimination amongst rain or drought-hit farmers of states ruled by NDA or non-NDA parties.