Indian farmers assert their rights

For last few years, a trend has been seen in India where farmers’ land is acquired at low rates and then residential and commercial accommodations made on them are sold for a price which is many many times more than the actual price.

Now few farming villages have come out in protest against such unfairness. Farmers in about 15 villages in Greater Noida, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, have refused to give away their land at throwaway rates.

The villagers here are asking for Rs two million per beegha against the official rate of 0.34 million per bigha – basically six times more than what the government is offering.

The Indian Express quotes Rajpal Singh Bhati, organizer and chief of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (An organization to protect farmers’ rights), as saying that ‘’why should we accept such low rates when circle rates and rates of commercial and residential properties touches the sky.’’

He says that the farmers are now aware of facts and figures, hence the protest.

That is a good news. The farmers do deserve a fair treatment for leaving a land which has fed their generations. Especially in a nation which still takes pride in the fact that it cares for its farmers.

But they must also learn to utilize their money in productive purposes. That is important considering many farmers, after selling their land, end up in the net of self-destruction through money intenstive and unproductive activities .

NEW YEAR BROUGHT DEATH FOR THESE FARMERS

A story on farmers' suicides in India in rediff. Such a shame that it is happening even 60 years after independence. And these are not isolated cases.
http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2007/dec/05yrfarmer1.htm

In fact, if you read the story above along with the one on 1,50,000 farmers committing suicide between 1997 and 2005, you will realise the gravity of the situation in India. http://specials.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/22sld1.htm

When the Indian politicians cheer happy new year to 2008, they will do well to remember the plight of the majority of their vote bank. If they do not, they will be no different from the suckers all over the world!