Farmers demand implementation of Swaminathan panel recommendations

Ongole: Farmers supported by the Andhra Pradesh Raitu Sangham, the Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham, the Andhra Pradesh Kaulu Raitula Sangham and the CITU organised a protest in front of the district Collectorate in Ongole on Friday, with demands of implementation of Swaminathan Committee recommendations, provide minimum support price and 200 days of work under employment guarantee scheme, Rs 18,000 as minimum salary to the workers.

The CITU state secretary, K Umamaheswara Rao, Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham district president Jala Anjaiah, leader Kankanala Anjaneyulu, Raitu Sangham district secretary Pamidi Venkata Rao, Kaulu Raitula Sangham district leader P Vinod and others said that January 19 was being observed as the Workers and Farmers Unity Day since 1982 after a few men sacrificed their lives for the rights of workers and farmers. 

They demanded that the government introduce an act for the protection of rights of farm workers and waive the loans of farm workers, tenant farmers and farmers. They also demanded that the government withdraw the 2013 Land Acquisition Act and implement Food Safety Act in the state by distributing 14 types of essential food items in the ration shops. They also wanted the government to raise the wages in the employment guarantee scheme to Rs 500 per day and provide work for 200 days in a year to the registered workers.