Restore mandi system in Bihar, says BKU leader Tikait; threatens to launch agitation
The Hindu
Rakesh Tikait said the schemes being run for farmers were not implemented properly.
Ahead of the launch of the fourth agriculture roadmap by the Nitish Kumar government on October 18, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on Saturday threatened to launch an agitation in Bihar if the mandi (procurement centres) system is not restored in the State.
The national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) was in Patna to support the farmers, who have been protesting in a few districts, seeking fair price for their produce. Mr. Tikait also wrote a letter to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad in this regard. He threatened to launch an agitation in Bihar if the farmers’ demands are not met.
Mr. Tikait, while speaking to journalists along with RJD MLA Sudhakar Singh, said he will visit Rohtas, Kaimur, Patna and other districts, where the farmers have been staging protests.
In the letter, Mr. Tikait said the condition of farmers in Bihar is pathetic as they don’t get the minimum support price (MSP) on their produce. He urged Mr. Prasad to ensure the purchase of the entire foodgrain stock at MSP.
“Paddy purchase will start in December. Being the main crop of Patna, Magadh and Shahabad divisions, it is important that farmers get the right price. In Bihar, the procurement is done through only one agency – the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Society (PACCS) – and it only purchases 30% of the total production. I demand that the rule be changed to allow others to procure paddy from farmers at MSP. For this, it is necessary that special paddy purchasing centres be opened in all blocks and multiple agencies be involved to bring transparency in paddy/wheat procurement,“ Mr. Tikait said in the letter.
Last year, Mr. Tikait had written to Mr. Kumar demanding restoration of the mandi system in Bihar, which very existed in the State till 2006 with 100 mandis.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.