India: Farmer Protests disrupt traffic in Delhi

By APD Writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, July 19 (APD) -- Traffic was slow in parts of Delhi on Tuesday as a result of famer protests at Jantar Mantar. Currently hundreds of farmers from Tamil Nadu are drawing the government’s attention towards farmer suicides and other issues concerning them.

Recently farmers from the provinces of Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh joined the protests, causing traffic jams at Connaught Place, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Janpath and Barakhamba Road.

VM Singh, the convener of the All India Kisan Sangarsh Coordination Committee, which is aiding farmer mobilization said, “Our main is to stop farmer suicides. One way to stop farmers from committing suicide is to waive loans.

However, this is not a long-term solution. We would like recommendations of the Swaminathan report implemented, and for agricultural produce to be fixed at 50% profitable price, which would be over and above the input costs.”

Groups of farmers have forwarded their specific demands, a farmer from Rajasthan said, “We have no water in Rajasthan. What are we supposed to grow? How are we to feed our families. “

According to reports, the government is expected to meet the farmers and address their issues soon.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)