Kisan Manch demands a separate commission for farmers

Kisan Manch, a forum for farmers founded by former Prime Minister VP Singh has demanded a separate commission for farmers, with constitutional powers and representation of farmers in it.
"Like Nirvachan Aayog, it would have constitutional powers with representation of farmersin it", Shekhar Dixit, state president of Kisan Manch said in Govardhan town here today.
He said the working of this Ayog would be farmer oriented. Dixit's submission came while he was talking about miserable condition of farmers in independent India.
"Even seven decades after independence, there has been no change in the economic status of the farmer,in spite of tall claims by different political parties", he alleged.

According to Dixit, the farmers have not gained with crop insurance policy of Modi government.
"Owing to red tapism andabsence of proper publicity, the farmers have not benefitted from crop insurance policy of the union Government", he said.

He expressed the need for such a decentralisedbody with more power to farmers wheretheir interest would be supreme.
Dixit also highlighted the need for construction of more cold storages.
Favouring changes in the land acquisition law, he said, "Neither agricultural nor industrial growth is attained if the land acquired for industries remains unused for four to five years after acquisition".
He asserted that such land should be returned to the farmer if industrial activity does not start within three years since it leads to unemployment also.

"A job in the industry should be made obligatory if the land of the farmer is acquired for industrial purpose", he suggested.
He also demanded speedy payment of cane arrears to the farmers in UP.