Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb. 5: The CPI backed peasants’ wing Sara Bharat Krishak Sabha (SBKS) staged a demonstration today in front of the Malda district magistrate office demanding that government agencies begin procuring paddy from the farmers in order to avoid a crisis caused by a sharp drop in the market rate.
According to CPI district secretary Mr Tarun Das, the present rate has plummeted from Rs 900 to 700 per quintal, and farmers are finding it difficult to cover their production costs. Mr Das said the district administration should take the initiative and begin procuring the paddy at the previous rate of Rs 900 per quintal. The CPI leaders pointed out that the threat to paddy farmers comes at an especially fraught time, as the agriculture department has failed to clamp down on the black market in fertilizer, despite fertilizers such as potash and urea continuing to fetch an extra Rs 100 per bag.
The CPI's 14 point demands includes the reduction of the farmers' electricity bills. The CPI district secretary claimed that the electricity department has increased the surcharge for consumption of electricity in the agriculture sector.
The SBKS also pointed out that a long-standing demand for a bridge over the river Fulohar has not been met. The bridge in question would connect Shankaritola Ghaat and Bhutni Diara Island, in Manikchak.
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