Date:31/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/31/stories/2006103115481300.htm

National

Manmohan Singh appeals to Dharia

Special Correspondent

Refrain from strike till final panel reports on farmers are submitted

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday appealed to socialist leader Mohan Dharia to refrain from going on an indefinite hunger strike from November 14 and await the final reports of the Radhakrishnan Expert Group on farmers' indebtedness and the Hanumantha Rao Committee on recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers.

The reports are expected within a month.

Mr. Dharia announced his decision to go on a hunger strike to press his demands for immediate writing off of debts of farmers with a land holding of less than two hectares and lowering of interest rates on farm loans to four per cent.

He has also asked the government to declare debts taken from moneylenders as illegal and sought police protection for farmers.

Sharing his concern for farmers in a meeting with Mr. Dharia, Dr. Singh requested him to nominate his representatives to interact with the Groups.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Minister for Minority Affairs A. R. Antulay, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Minister of State Prithviraj Chavan and Member (Agriculture) in Planning Commission, Abhijit Sen.

Dr. Singh said after his Vidarbha visit he had set up an Expert Group under economist R. Radhakrishna for examining farmers' indebtedness and come up with its considered suggestions by November 30.