रिलायन्स ला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील अडीच हजार एकर जमीन फुकटात दिल्यावरून मुख्यमंत्री अशोक चव्हाण संकटात

रिलायन्स ला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील अडीच हजार एकर जमीन फुकटात दिल्यावरून मुख्यमंत्री अशोक चव्हाण संकटात जमीन घोटाळा प्रकरणाची चौकशी करण्याची किशोर तिवारी यांची मागणी
यवतमाळ :- यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील डोंगरगांव परिसरातील शेकडो एकर जमिन महाराष्ट्र प्रदेश काँग्रेसचे अध्यक्ष माणीकराव ठाकरे यांना सर्व नियम धाब्यावर ठेवून नाममात्र दरात देण्याचे प्रकरण चर्चेत असतांनाच महाराष्ट्राच्या मुख्‌यमंत्र्यांनी ऐन निवडणुकीची आचार संहीता लागण्यापूर्व अनिल अंबानी यांच्या उद्योग समुहाला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील केळापूर तालुक्यातील चनाखा, घुबडी, निमडेली व कारेगांव या खेड्यातील अडीच हजारावर एकर जमिन फुकटात दिल्याचे प्रकरण समोर आले असून ही जमिन देण्यासाठी महाराष्ट्राच्या मुख्‌यमंत्र्यांनी मोठ्या प्रमाणात भ्रष्टाचार केला असून या सर्व व्यवहाराची चौकशी करण्याची मागणी विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे नेते किशोर तिवारी यांनी एका पत्रकाव्दारे केली आहे. यासंबंधी 31 आँगष्टला निघालेल्या जि. आर. प्रमाणे यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील आदिवासी भागातील चनाखा, घुबडी, निमडेली व कारेगांव या गावातील अंदाजे 10 कि.मी. पेक्षा जास्त लांबीच्या 1008 हेक्‌टर म्हणजे अडीच हजार एकराचा पट्टा खनिज खनन करण्यासाठी सरकारने अर्ज बोलावले होते व या अर्जाची सुनावनी 21 जुलै 2009 ला मुख्‌यमंत्र्यांनी स्वत: केली होती यामध्ये एकूण आलेल्या 38 अर्जामधून 30 लोकांनी आपली बाजू मांडली होती व या पट्टयातील 450 लाख टन खनिजावर आपला दावा करण्यासाठी प्रतिवाद केला होता मात्र मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी आपला आदेश क्रमांक एमएमएन - 1009/सी.आर. 2939/ आय एन डी-9 देत असतांना गुजरात अंबुजा, ए.सी.सी. सारख्‌या पाच कंपन्यांनी या भागात आपले सिमेंट कारखाने टाकले आहे तर रिलायन्स सिमेंटसह 10 उद्योग समुहानी नविन सिमेंट प्लान्ट टाकण्याचा प्रस्ताव सादर केला तर 7 स्टील व लोहखनिज तयार करणाय्रा कंपन्यांनी अर्ज सादर केले आहे मात्र सरकारने यापैकी फक्त संचीत इस्पात, मुरली उद्योग, श्री सिमेंट, ए.सी.सी. सिमेंट, लाप्रिजी इंडिया, अंबुजा सिमेंट व रिलायन्स सिमेंट यांचाच विचार केला व इतर अर्ज खारीज केले या 7 कंपन्यांचा मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी आपल्या आदेशामध्ये ए.सी.सी., अंबुजा, श्री सिमेंट सारख्या कंपन्यांना डावलुन रिलायन्सला हा पट्टा देण्याची जी कारणे दिली आहे ती संशयास्पद असून हा पट्टा निवडणुकीच्या तोंडावर कोणताही अनुभव नसलेल्या रिलायन्स ग्रुपला देतांना भ्रष्टाचाराचा संशय येत असल्‌याची दाट शक्‌यता किशोर तिवारी यांनी वर्तविली आहे. या खनन पट्‌ट्याला पर्यावरण खाते व वन विभागाची कोणतीही परवानगी नसल्याचे या आदेशामध्ये स्पष्ट करण्यात आले आहे. ज्या 10 कि.मी. च्या परिसरात ही नविन खान येत आहे त्याच्‌या एका बाजूला टिपेश्वरचे अभयारण्य असून दुसरीकडे पैनगंगा नदी आहे अशा परिस्थितीमध्ये या ठिकाणी एवढे मोठे खनन करण्याची परवानगी भारत सरकारच्‌या पर्यावरण व वन खात्याकडून कशी मिळणार असा सवाल सुध्दा किशोर तिवारी यांना केला आहे. निवडणुकीच्‌या तोंडावर अडीच हजार एकर जमिनीचा पट्टा रिलायन्स सारख्‌या जगातील सर्वात श्रीमंत उद्योग समुहाला फुकटात देण्यामागे महाराष्ट्राच्या मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी निवडणुकीमध्ये खर्च करण्यासाठी शेकडो कोटीची माया जमविली असून हे सर्व प्रकरण आपण मुंबई उच्च न्यायालयाच्या नागपूर खंडपिठात या व्यवहाराची पारदर्शता व गुणवत्ता सिध्द करण्यासाठी नेणार असल्‌याची माहिती किशोर तिवारी यांनी यावेळी दिली.

VJAS demands probe 1008 hector land allotment to Reliance in Yavatmal

VJAS demands probe 1008 hector land allotment to Reliance in Yavatmal

Dust over the decision Maharashtra chief minister ashok chvan to grant Rs.88 crore land in farm suicide hit yavatmal district to MPCC President Manikrao Thakare is till not gathered another decision over of Mahrashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to grant more 1000 hector land to Anil Ambani’s M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd around villages Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Koregaon the same area in yavatmal district tribal belt where agrarian crisis is at it’s peak and area known as epicenter of farmers suicides of vidarbha .Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) has alleged that Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has favored M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd in exchange multi-thousand crore deal for himself and his congress party just before the assembly election and demanded detail probe in to land deal.

“This is gross misuse of power and floating the rules farmed by central and state Govt. for mining and setting up the thermal power plant as whole 1000 hector area 10 k.m. patch lect side is ‘Tippeshwar reserved forest and right side is Wainganga River hence EIA clearance and forest ministry clearance is impossible. we have poper locus in this case and will move the high court against this illegal order ” Kishore Tiwari Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) informed today.

Mahrashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has ordered under section of 11(2) of the MMDR Act, 1957 to grant Mining Lease for Lime Stone to M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai over an area of 1008.33 H/R situated at Mauza Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Karegaon, Taluka Kelapur, District Yeotmal on 25^th august 2009 just before the code of conduct is imposed by Election Commission of India .

VJAS in letter to Lokaukatta has made has made series of allegation to claim the decision to grant the mining lease was malafide and ill managed as while giving the order Mahrashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan

Observations are :-

I quote

On perusal of the records and taking into consideration oral / written submissions of the applicants and going through the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Mineral Concession Rules, 1960,1 have made following observations:-

(i) At Mauze Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Koregaon the area available for grant of ML for Lime Stone is 1008.22 H./R.

(ii) Since the area under consideration for grant of P.L. has been notified u/s 11(2) and 11(4) of the MMDR Act, 1957, the selection of applicant will be governed by the relevant Rules and Regulation. This selection will have to be made in consonance with guidelines issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Mines letter No. 7160/2006-MIV, dated the 24.06.2009.

2. The Inter-Se-Merit Chart has been formulated and appended herewith as Annexure 'A' which includes the reasons for acceptance / rejection of particular application. It may be noted that it is vital part of this Order. It is seen there from that:-

(a)Following applicants have already established Cement Plants in the State or in other States:

(1)M/S.GUJARAT AMBUJA CEMENTS LTD., MUMBAI

(2M/S.MURALI AGRO PRODUCTS LTD., NAGPUR

(3)M/S.SHREE CEMENTS LTD., BEAWAR, RAJASTHAN

(4)M/S. ACC CEMENT I TD., MUMBAI

(5)M/S. LAFARGE INDIA PVT.LTD., MUMBAI

(b)Following applicants have proposed to set-up Cement Plants:-

(1)M/S.GRACE INDUSTRIES LTD., NAGPUR

(2)M/S. BLA CEMENT PVT.LTD.,MUMBAI

(3)M/S.ANIK INDUSTRIES LTD., INDORE, M.P.

(4)M/S.SARTHAK INDUSTRIES LTD., INDORE, M.P.

(5)M/S. NECO INDUSTRIES LTD., NAGPUR

(6)M/S.RELIANCE CEMENTATION PVT.LTD., NAVI MUMBAI

(7)M/S. EMAMI CEMENT LTD., KOLKATA, W.B.

(8)M/S.BHATIYA INTERNATIONAL LTD., NAGPUR

(9)M/'S. TAJ LIME INDUSTRIES, TA!. WANI, DIST. YEOTMA!

(10)M/S. SURJAGARH STEEL & MINES PVT.LTD.

(c)Following applicants are Iron/Steel/Power manufacturer and needs Ore as-one of the ingredient for manufacture of Steel:-

(1) M/s.New India Mining Corporation

(2) M/s. Ispat Industries Ltd., Mumbai

(3) M/s. Sunflag Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Mumbai

(4) M/s. Virangana Steel Ltd., Nagpur

(5) M/s. Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd., New Delhi

(6) M/s.ChamanMetalicsPvt.Ltd., Kolkata

(7) M/s. Uttam Galva Steel Ltd., Mumbai

(d) Rest of the applicants are either going to establish Lime base small units or proposes the trading of the mineral or proposes to utilize the mineral in their sister concern.

CONCLUSION

1.In Maharashtra the Vidarbha Region is industrially backward. Therefore, it is worthwhile to encourage to set-up mineral based industry in the said area. This will facilitate economic growth of the said Region as well as will help to create employment.

2. It is seen from the Inter-Se-Merit Chart and Observations made above that the applicants mentioned in para 2(a) and 2(b) of the Observations prevails over other applicants as all of them do have requisite technical expertise, sound financial position and capacity to make huge investment to carry out mining activities and to establish the End Use Project or to utilize the mineral for expansion of their existing units. Thus it means that here exist more than one applicant who do have capabilities as mentioned in Section 1 1(3) and as a result of this choice of applicant has become difficult. Since these eligible applicants are co-equal in terms of their chronology. In this situation, the Guidelines laid down by Government of India, Ministry of Mines vide their letter dt. 24.06.2009 indicates that the choice has to be made on objective selection criteria in transparent manner. Normally the recommendation of the State Government in this regard is acceptable if comparative chart of all applicants on criteria enumerated in Section 1 1(3) of MMDR Act is available and the State Government has passed reasoned orders for acceptance of a particular applicant and for 'rejection of the remaining applicants.

3. In view of above the cases of eligible applicants are analysised as follows:-

(a)M/s.Sanchit Ispat Pvt.Ltd.-, Nagpur intends to expand the capacity of their

existing unit by 2.2 MTPA. But actual execution of the expansion

activity seems to be at primary level. Hence their requirement of Ore is

not of immediate concern. Their case will be considered at appropriate

time. Hence I do not consider them for grant of M.L.

(b)M/s. Murali Industries Ltd., Nagpur -has been granted PL/ML for Lime

Stone / Dolomite over an area of 11,89 sq. kms. having geological

reserves upto 128.669 million tones. Out of this they have yet to explore

the area over 9.85 sq.kms. They propose to expand their present capacity

of 3 MTPA up to 11 MTPA. But at present, they do have sufficient

reserves and their case can be considered when they will explore the

entire area already granted to them. Hence I do not consider their case for

grant of M.L.

(c)M/s.Shree Cement Ltd., Beawar, Rajasthan- have established two Cement

Plants. It is not clear from their submission whether they require the Ore

for their present units or for expansion activities. It is not known the

present availability of Ore with them. As such applicant has not properly

justified their claim for grant of M.L. Hence I do not consider their case for grant of M.L.

(d)M/s. ACC Cement Ltd., Mumbai has already been granted M.Ls over an

area of 16.13 sq.kms. As per the available record 70.00 MT estimated

Lime Stone deposits are yet to be explored by the Company. The present

consumption in present Unit is 1.00 lakhs MTPA. Now they propose to

set-up 2 MTPA Clinkering Unit and demanded ML for the purpose. But

it is clear from above information that they do have enough reserves of

Lime Stone. Therefore, their claim for ML is not of immediate concern.

Hence I do not consider their case for grant of M.L.

(e)M/s.Lafarge India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai- is a part of Lafarge Group having

origin in the France. No doubt they are global leaders in the field of

manufacturing the Cement and allied activities and are capable to procure

the mineral from other sources. They have proposed to establish 1.6

MTPA Clinker Plant with investment of Rs. 1400.00 crores. They do

have capacity and capability to execute the project. But so far they have

not taken any steps to set-up the plant in the State. In view of this their

claim will be considered at an appropriate time. Hence I do not consider

their case for grant of M.L. over the area applied by them.

(!)In Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts M/s.Ambuja Cement hold Mining Leases over an area of 17.91 sq. kms. having approximate geological reserves of 190.38 million tones. At present they are operating one unit of cement production of 2.85 MTPA capacity in Chandrapur. According to N.C.B.M. norms their total requirement is of 459 million tones. This indicates that the Company has still to explore full capacity of the area, I do not consider their case for grant of M.L.

4.I have gone through the submissions made by the applicants who have proposed to set-up Cement Plants with sizable investment. While considering these cases weightage has been given to parameters laid down in Section 11(3) of the Act and preparedness of the applicant to establish project. No doubt applicants mentioned in para 2(b) of the Observations are eligible, but except M/s. Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd. the preparedness of rest of them is either at primary level or some of them have showed only intention to set-up the project. Therefore their cases are not of immediate concerned.Hence I do consider them for grant of M.L.

5. As regards M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd. M/s.AAA Trader Pvt.Ltd.,

Mumbai a subsidiary of Reliance Group which is now merged in M/s. Reliance

Cementation Pvt.Ltd. has been granted ML for Lime Stone and Dolomite of Mukutban deposits which approximately have 30 million tone geological reserves. It is proposed to set-up 5 MTPA cement plant in Yeotmal district (D+ Category i.e. industrially most backward district) in Vidarbha Region. As per NCBM norms this plant will require 537 MT resources of Lime Stone Ore. They have also proposed to set-up two Cement Grinding Units and 600 MW Power Plant with total investment of Rs. 6000.00 crores in the State. It is also submitted that they have obtained Mining Plan approval from IBM,

land required for compensatory afforestation have been identified and is being purchased, proposal for diversion of Forests land is submitted, meeting with MOEF Committee has been scheduled to finalize environmental clearance, established site at Mukutban / Butibori for Cement and Power project, already applied for Coal linkage and requisite machinery is being obtained. So far they have invested Rs. 25.00 crores. They have signed MoU with the State Govt. for setting up Mega Project. Thus they have taken positive steps and made sincere efforts to set-up the assured project. It may be seen that so far applicant has been granted M.L. in which the the resources are up to 30 Million tones. However, to meet the vast shortfall in reserves and set-up a new field cement plant in Yeotmal Dist. additional mineral leases are required. Additional mineral concession in terms of M.L. for un-interupted supply of Ore for production of Cement is utmost necessary. In view of this I am satisfied that M/s. Reliance Cementation Pvt. Ltd. is most eligible applicant for grant of M.L. over the area applied by them.

6.Since while considering grant of M.L., the State Government has given

weightage to logical end use of the Lime Stone for production of Cement in the interest of Public at large. Hence I do not consider the cases of applicants mentioned in para 2(c) and 2(D) of Observations for grant of M.L. to them.

7.In view of above I pass the following Order in the matter:-

1.Ordcr U/s. 11(2) of the MMDR Act, 1957, I grant Mining Lease for Lime Stone to M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai over an area of 1008.33 H/R situated at Mauze Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Karegaon, Taluka Kelapur, District Yeotmal as indicated in the MAP (Annexure 'B') appended herewith.

2. M/s. AAA Traders which was merged with M/s.Reliane Cementation Pvt.Ltd. was earlier granted M.L. in Yeotmal Dist. With the grant of this M.L. over 1008.33 H/R, the total area exceeds 10 sq.kms. Since prior approval of Govt. of India is required the State Govt. recommends permission for prior approval under Rule 6 Sector 2(b) of MMDR Act.

NOC's from the Central Govt., State Govt and Lc^al Authorities where necessary be obtained by the applicant.

Place : Mumbai (Ashok Chavan)

Date 25/08/2009 Chief Minister of Maharashtra

UNQUOTE

VJAS has urged lokauktta to look in to all aspects of givng order to M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai as giving mining lease of 1000 hector land where as requirement of land has to be viewed seriously and amount of lease to be recovered from the M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai is almost free hence reasons given for rejection of other parties are not convincing more over the decision before the election is creating lot scope for smelling the corruption as this chief minister has granted lot lease in such manner which are also matte of investigation ,tiwari added.

“we want all farmers and tribals should updated regarding environmental impact damage to the forest as public hearing were not conducted before such serious decision are taken .we welcome the industries but not at the cost of agriculture and with such massive deep rooted corruption and mega land scam in the name of development” Tiwari said.

Ban killer Bt.cotton seed :Maharashtra farmers urged Indian Govt.

Ban killer Bt.cotton seed :Maharashtra farmers urged Indian Govt.

Pandharkawada and Kinwat -13^th November 2009

Massive failure of cotton crop in 34 lakh hectares in cotton growing region of maharashtra has received very sharp reaction from farmers of vidarbha and marathawada region ,urging the union Govt. review their decision of giving commercial trials to American cotton seed giant Monsanto and to impose the complete ban of killer Bt. cotton seed .the resolution of sending requisition through maharashtra Govt. passed to day in first cotton farmers rally in Pandharkawada (Yavatmal)which has epicenter of from suicide since 2005 after the commercial trials of much controversial genetically modified seed popularly known as Bt.cotton seed granted now after 5 years more than 7400 farm suicides and Rs.20 thousand crore relief packages this year as per predicament of the state cotton federation that there is a big loss to cotton crop, along with demand farmers to ban the killer bt. Cotton seed they have also demanded that the government should arrange to seek compensation to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore from Bt cotton seed manufacturers and insecticide, pesticide makers for the losses suffered by farmers,. farmers' protest forum Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti(VJAS) President Kishore Tiwari informed in the press note to day.

"In the state government-sponsored campaign, over 24 lakh farmers took to genetically modified seeds in 34 lakh hectares. The campaign was led by its own seed company Mahyco which is among those that have obtained license from a multinational company for its Bt cotton seeds. The gullible farmers fell prey to the advertisement blitz by the seed companies which claimed that Bt seeds would give bumper crops even in rain fed areas like Vidarbha where irrigation facilities are abysmally low,'' president Kishore Tiwari alleged .
Addressing a farmers protest rally cotton farmers have given proof of crop loss and it is estimated that the cotton farmers' total expenses thus added up to Rs 9,170 crore including the additional expenditure on costly pesticides and insecticides that were used in large quantities as the cotton crop had a variety of infestation right from the start. "While the agriculture department advisory clearly states that Bt seeds cultivation could be risky in rain fed areas, the government did little to discourage farmers who gave up food crops like jowar and maize and shifted to Bt cotton growing as a cash crop and this has collapsed the economy of the region and is main reson of despair and distress leading thousands of cotton farmers suicides , said Tiwari.

Cotton farmers urged today that "It is now the state government's vicarious liability. It should take strong action against the Bt seed manufacturers as well as chemical pesticide companies who made huge profits at the cost of farmers. The yields are as low as 25% in some area. Farmers who were dreaming of high yields of 20 quintals an acre got only two quintals. The state government can drag these companies to the Monopoly and Restricted Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) citing the misleading advertisements," said Tiwari.

"If the state government fails to act, VJAS will move before the MRTPC in the matter, as done by the Andhra government against the Bt seed company before the MRTPC which helped drastically reduce the seed in the year 2005 but this year maharashtra is adopting same relief policy which was adopted in 2005-06 under which it paid Rs 216 crore as compensation to Bt.cotton growers whose crop suffered damage from 'lalya' (micronutrient deficiency that reddens the leaves and stunts plant growth),

"Instead of wasting public money, the government should legally force erring seed companies and recover the losses on behalf of farmers. we have collecting fact sheets from the thousands of cotton growers and these conventions of cotton growers, yeaterday Thursday at Pandharkawda and today on Friday at Kinwat in Marathwada region of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan are for the purpose of facilitating documentation of the losses suffered by the farmers that data will be handed over to the government in the hope that it would act against the companies," said Tiwari

====================================================

Demand to hike in cotton MSP to Rs.3500 per quintal

Hundreds of vidarbha farmer’s widows to urged union Govt. to raise cotton MSP to Rs.3500 per quintal after With the state cotton federation now officially acknowledging a big loss to cotton crop, over 24 lakh farmers in 34 lakh is facing crop loss and in addition to urgent relief aid farmers needs hike in cotton MSP and this demand was made by Bebitai bais president of vidarbha farmers widows association in day long hunger strike agitation in pandharkawada today .

Demand to hike in cotton MSP to Rs.3500 per quintal :Hundreds Vidarbha Farm Widow’s joined hunger strike agitation

Demand to hike in cotton MSP to Rs.3500 per quintal :
Hundreds Vidarbha Farm Widow’s joined hunger strike agitation

Nagpur-11^th November 2009

Hundreds of vidarbha farmer’s widows to urged union Govt. to raise cotton MSP to Rs.3500 per quintal after With the state cotton federation now officially acknowledging a big loss to cotton crop, over 24 lakh farmers in 34 lakh is facing crop loss and in addition to urgent relief aid farmers needs hike in cotton MSP and this demand was made by Bebitai bais president of vidarbha farmers widows association in day long hunger strike agitation in pandharkawada today .

Maharashtra chief minister also urged to provide food, health care and relief aid as recommended by numbers panels and sanctioned by administration now to bring attention dying farmers of vidarbha ,vidarbha farm widows association has decided to march to Mumbai to bring attention towards the pending demands of farm widows., Bebitai bais announced in rally today

‘We demand food security, potable water in all villages ,fodder for cattle and work under NREGA to every distressed families and free health care to critical ill members of farmers families ,these long pending demands and not being attended even after being recommend by all panels and study group appointed by sate administration ” Bebitai announced today .

Now ,we are also starting “save farmer movement” to campaign sustainable low cost food crop farming ,rain water harvesting ,chemical free farming and liquor free vidarbha ,bebitai bais said.

“Hundreds of vidarbha farm widows will recalled Rahul Gandhi’s promise of rehabilitation of 7000 vidarbha farm widows in his recent yavatmal election visit” Shobha tai Waghmare and Bebitai bais added today.

VJAS leader kishore tiwari also addressed the rally and urged widows to intensify the struggle to get the justice and stop farm genocide in vidarbha.

“we are taking these helpless widows to Mumbai and will meet maharashtra chief minister Ashok chavan to get urgent relief to their hardship” tiwari announced today.

More than two widows participated in hunger strike .

Action demanded against Bt seed manufacturers-TIMES OF INDIA

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Action demanded against Bt seed manufacturers

TNN 11 November 2009, 04:19am IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Action-demanded-against-
Bt-seed-manufacturers/articleshow/5216572.cms

NAGPUR: With the state cotton federation now officially acknowledging a big loss to cotton crop, farmers' pressure group Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti has demanded that the government should seek compensation to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore from Bt cotton seed manufacturers and insecticide, pesticide makers for the losses suffered by farmers.

"In the state government-sponsored campaign, over 24 lakh farmers took to genetically modified seeds in 34 lakh hectares. The campaign was led by its own seed company Mahyco which is among those that have obtained license from a multinational company for its Bt cotton seeds. The gullible farmers fell prey to the advertisement blitz by the seed companies which claimed that Bt seeds would give bumper crops even in rain fed areas like Vidarbha where irrigation facilities are abysmally low,'' alleged VJAS president Kishore Tiwari.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Tiwari said the cotton farmers' total expenses thus added up to Rs 9,170 crore including the additional expenditure on costly pesticides and insecticides that were used in large quantities as the cotton crop had a variety of infestation right from the start. "While the agriculture department advisory clearly states that Bt seeds cultivation could be risky in rain fed areas, the government did little to discourage farmers who gave up food crops like jowar and maize and shifted to Bt cotton growing as a cash crop," said Tiwari.

"It is now the state government's vicarious liability. It should take strong action against the Bt seed manufacturers as well as chemical pesticide companies who made huge profits at the cost of farmers. The yields are as low as 25% in some area. Farmers who were dreaming of high yields of 20 quintals an acre got only two quintals. The state government can drag these companies to the Monopoly and Restricted Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) citing the misleading advertisements," said Tiwari.

Citing the government's relief policy adopted in 2005-06 under which it paid Rs 216 crore as compensation to cotton growers whose crop suffered damage from 'lalya' (micronutrient deficiency that reddens the leaves and stunts plant growth), he said, "Instead of wasting public money, the government should legally force erring seed companies and recover the losses on behalf of farmers."

VJAS will be holding two conventions of cotton growers, on Thursday at Pandharkawda and on Friday at Kinwat to facilitate documentation of the losses suffered by the farmers. "We will pass on the data to the government in the hope that it would act against the companies," said Tiwari citing the action taken by the Andhra government against the Bt seed company before the MRTPC which helped drastically reduce the seed rates. "If the state government fails to act, VJAS will move the court in the matter," the farmers' leader said.

BT cotton seed companies should pay Rs 4,000 crore to farmers in Vidarbha -VJAS

Seed companies should pay Rs 4,000 crore to farmers: VJAS

http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-148157.html
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20091110/1381044.html

Nagpur, Nov 10: BT cotton seed companies should pay Rs 4,000 crore to farmers in Vidarbha as compensation for the failure of the crop taken with that variety, farmers activists demanded here today.

Speaking to reporters this evening, Kishore Tiwari, Convenor of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), a voluntary organisation working among farmers in the region, said the government should recover the amount from the seed companies and disburse it to farmers.

''The government can do this easily. All companies have been issued licences under the law. If the companies don't pay up, the government can warn them of cancelling the licences,'' he said.

If the government failed to recover the amount, VJAS would move the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) for redress, Mr Tiwari said. ''We will go to the commission with all documentation. If we fail to get justice there, we will even move the court,'' he said.

Mr Tiwari said the companies selling BT cotton seeds had made big promises to farmers about the yield of the variety. ''They promised that BT would give upto 25 quintals per acre. However, farmers could get barely 3 quintals per acre because of the low rainfall this year,'' the VJAS convenor said. The variety was promoted in Vidarbha despite the fact that the region is primarily rainfed with little irrigation, while BT needs a lot of water, he said.

''At a support price of Rs 3,000 per quintal, and considering the fact that BT cotton was sown over 34 lakh hectares in 2009, the quantum of damage is obvious,'' he said.

The damage caused by the variety could be gauged from the fact that the outlay for relief packages for farmers announced by the government had increased with an increase in the area under BT, Mr Tiwari said. ''The area under BT cotton was 8 lakh hectares in 2005, and the relief package was Rs 1075 crore. The area was 12 lakh hectares in 2006, and the central government's package was Rs 3750 crore. There was no package in 2007, when the area was 18 lakh hectares. However, in 2008, the Centre announced a loan waiver of Rs 71,000 crore when the area under BT was 24 lakh hectares, and the state government announced its own waiver of Rs 6,208 crore in 2009, when the area is 34 lakh hectares'', he contended.

VJAS would hold farmers conventions at Pandharkawda in Yavatmal district in Vidarbha on November 12, and at Kinwat in Nanded district in Marathwada on November 13 to prepare for moving the MRTPC for compensation, he added.

--UNI