Date:20/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/20/stories/2008012055450500.htm

Other States - Rajasthan

Rajasthan farmers want Biodiversity Board

Special Correspondent

Demand ban on acquisition of pasture land for industrialisation, farming of bio-fuel crops and creation of SEZs

‘Livelihood threatened by decline in crop varieties, exploitation by FIs’
‘Land acquisition without panchayat permission should be declared illegal’

JAIPUR: Representatives of farmers’ organisations in Rajasthan have called for establishment of a Biodiversity Board and demanded an immediate ban on acquisition of pasture land for industrialisation, farming of bio-fuel crops and creation of Special Economic Zones.

Farmers participating in a State-level convention of Kisan Seva Samiti Mahasangh here this week said their livelihood was threatened by a constant decline in crop varieties, dispossession from their own land and exploitation by financial institutions charging excessive interest on loans.

The convention was organised by the Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants’ Society to highlight the difficulties faced by farmers in the wake of the State Government’s policies depriving them of their land rights and favouring big industrialists and MNCs.

A 15-point declaration issued said urbanisation and industrialisation were affecting agriculturists, cattle-breeders and pastoral people while farmers had no forum for raising their grievances. Kisan Mahasangh secretary Bhagwan Sahay said acquisition of land without village panchayat’s permission should be declared illegal.

Farmer leader Bhagirath Chaudhary affirmed that allotment of land for farming of crops supposedly producing bio-fuel was an “international conspiracy” to make farmers dependent on multinational players. Congress leader Ramnarain Meena sought a law to prevent FIs from charging an interest rate exceeding the principal amount.