Date:20/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/20/stories/2008022053970300.htm

Karnataka

CPI to join coffee growers in their struggle

Correspondent

CHIKMAGALUR: D. Raja, MP, and joint secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of India (CPI), has said that his party will join hands with coffee growers in their struggle to find a solution to their problems.

Addressing a meeting of the Small Growers’ Federation in Mudigere on Monday, Mr. Raja said that the problems being faced by coffee growers were serious and would be taken up for discussion at the meeting of the central coordination committee next month. He said all coffee growers had been caught in the debt trap and it was the responsibility of the Government to come to their aid and ensure that the agricultural sector was profitable.

Stating that the economic policies laid down in 1990 were responsible for the problems being faced by the agricultural sector and for the increase in the number of farmers’ suicide, he said creation of special economic zones had thrown thousands of farmers on the streets.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Raja said the United Progressive Alliance Government would witness more opposition from its Left allies during the budget session than from the Bharatiya Janata Party.