More than 100 farmer groups from across eight states have launched a mega 10-day protest from Friday, June 1. Venting their ire over the current Minimum Support prices, protesters spilled milk on the road, and destroyed vegetables.
Explaining the reason, they said that they would rather destroy their produce than selling it to a government ‘that has failed to ensure fair price’ for their crop. The farmers, under the banner of Rashtriya Kisan Maha Sangh, are demanding loan waivers and implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee recommendations.
Visuals from across the country have emerged, showing distressed farmers spilling tonnes of milk on the streets and throwing away vegetables and fruits by the kilo as well as stopping trucks carrying produce from reaching their markets and mandis. Supply of milk, fruits and vegetables in cities have been hit, leading to a spike in prices.
Meanwhile, a political slugfest has also started with the Congress slamming the Centre for failing to deliver on its promises.
Congress state president Kamalnath said that the same government that killed innocent farmers last year in police firing, is now blaming the Congress for farmers protest.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh government has set up swap machines to ensure swift payment to farmers. The state government also issued an order on 31 May (yesterday), for revised rates of onion at Rs 865 per quintal, plus Rs 400 support price from government that makes the price for farmer to Rs 1265 per quintal.
