Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh announced a series of relieving measures for farmers as he ended his 28-hour fast yesterday at the BHEL’s Dussehra Maidan, the venue for his fast.
Amongst the bundle of happy news which Chauhan announced in favour of farmers, here are a few:
Purchase of farm produce below the minimum support (MSP) a criminal act. “Any purchase of farm produce below the minimum support price (MSP), declared by the Centre, would be considered a criminal act in Madhya Pradesh,” Chauhan said.
The agricultural land would be acquired after the consent of the farmer. Chauhan said that he had taken various decisions based on the Swaminathan Committee report, which was submitted in 2002. “The state government would establish ‘Kisan Bazaar’ (farmers’ market) within the area under all municipal bodies. We will also adopt system of Amul Dairy Cooperatives to purchase milk in the state,” he said.
Not only this, farmer’s delight raised to another level when Chauhan announced that a copy of ‘Khasra’ (land document) would be delivered at the doorstep of the farmers every year, absolutely free of cost. “Now, the farmers will not need to visit the offices for getting the copy of ‘Khasra’,” he added.
The farmers in the villages would get patta of the plot to construct their own house, he said. Additionally, tribal people would also get pattas for land which belongs to them.
Further, Chouhan announced to set up a state land use advisory service to ensure better and profitable use of the agricultural land.
The MP government had set up a Rs 1,000-crore Price Stabilisation Fund to purchase the farm produce at the MSP.
Agricultural Costs and Marketing Commission would also be set up to ensure better prices of the farm produce vis-a-vis cost of crops.
The minister’s fast was fuelled by rising agittaion amongst the farmers spread across the MP region, especially in Dewas and Mandsaur districts. The protest which began on June 1 catched flame on June 6 as it killed five persons during police firing at Mandsaur.
