Chhaya/ 13.8.2015
A two day sit-in was organized on 10-11 August, by
All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), an affiliate of Stalinist CPI (M), at Jantar Mantar in New
Delhi to protest against farmer suicides in the country.
Demands of the protestors included Rs.Ten
lakhs as relief to each of the affected families, waiver of loans in case
of suicide, free credit to low and medium farmers, share croppers and
agricultural workers, Minimum Support Price (MSP) plus 50% of costs for all
crops as recommended by Swaminathan Commission, setting up of procurement
centers in all states, social security for agricultural workers, monthly
pension of Rs. 3,000 for toiling farmers, agricultural workers and
rural artisans, among others.
Families of about hundred suicide victims from over fourteen
states in the country, had joined in the sit-in. However, sowing illusions
among the poor peasants, the AIKS leaders continued to make repeated appeals to the Modi Government, against the plight of peasant families.
