State farmers are a divided lot

Sunday’s surprise and sudden announcement by the state government of a debt relief has divided the farming community. A section of the farmers are now saying that they have been fooled by the clever juggling of words by the government negotiators. On Monday, they hinted of another strike if there is no course correction.

Shetkari Sanghatana president Anil Ghanwat said that the words tatwataha (principle) and

sarsakat (without any discrimination) used in the government announcement were misleading.

“We feel this is the same package announced by the CM along with Jayaji Suryawanshi last week and very few farmers would stand to gain from the package because of the use of the word nikash (conditions). We are waiting for the GR after which we’ll decide on our future course of action,” he told Free Press Journal.

Farmer leaders from Vidarbha are the ones who are most upset with the government’s stand. Vijay Jawadhia, a farmer leader from Vidarbha, said that his colleagues from his region are disappointed with the decision taken on Sunday. “Independent legislator Bacchu Kadu represented the region but failed to fulfil our demand. In Vidarbha, land holding is between five to 10 acres and they will get benefit of not more than Rs 1 lakh. We will wait till July 23 and then take a decision on what to do,” Jawandhia said. He regretted the fact that politicians had hijacked what was a farmers’ agitation.

Social worker Kalpana Inamdar said they, too, were opposed to the ‘tatwataha’ loan waiver announced by the government. There was no discussion on remunerative prices. “The panel formed by the government should include farmers and agricultural experts and not political leaders,” she said.

Kisan Kranti, one of the outfits that is leading the farmers’ stir, also found problems with the government’s announcement. Kisan Kranti publicity chief Chandrakant Bankar said that the organisation would continue its demonstrations till all needy farmers are given their dues.