Congress Manifesto disappoint vidarbha farmers and tribal

Congress Manifesto disappoint vidarbha farmers and tribal

Yavatmal-26^th March 2014 

Having got very better experience with UPA-I and UPA-II ,3 million cotton farmers and 5 million tribal of Indian epicenter of farm suicide  and malnutrition hopes shattered after announcement of media hyped manifesto of congress party promising a lot but ignoring core issue of vidarbha statehood ,mechanism to address minimum support price issue of cotton and soybean ,complete crop loan waiver to farm suicide affected drought prone 33 district to small dry land farmers and special status of most backward region to vidarbha so that hardship of 2 million youth working outside vidarbha mainly in IT sector but manifesto has been salient over these issue has disappointed the people of vidarbha hence they want congress should come clean on these issues ,farm and tribal activist Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS),informed in press  note .    

‘last one decade vidarbha has witnessed more than  11000 farmer suicides mostly dry land cotton farmers who are debt and facing successive crop failure hence UPA-III hence it was expected that congress  will give importance focus  to core issues to prevailing distress but nothing has been reflected in the manifesto more over tribal in vidarbha region are struggling with malnutrition and starvation and tribal fund has been diverted for the Babus salary since 1950 and Tribal are

till denied shelter,water,food and land rights and vidarbha there are more than 1000 Eng..and Polytechnic colleges since 1983 and 2 million IT professional are working outside vidarbha but   UPA manifesto failed to address this issue too hence we want congress should come clean on these issues in order to avoid humiliating defeat’ Tiwari added.

‘This is matter of nonsense for UPA give right of health…right  of  every matter on paper but they are not talking  not taking urgent step to stop vadarbha farmers genocide where right to live has been frozen since 2005 ,this is matter of shame UPA manifesto has not referred any sustainable solution to renew dead rural and agrarian economy which is victim of free trade and globalization hence we want congress should relook on these issue’ Tiwari urged.  

Distraught Maharashtra farmer attempts suicide in collector's office-IANS

Distraught Maharashtra Farmer Attempts 

Suicide in Collector's office-IANS

http://zeenews.india.com/news/maharashtra/distraught-maharashtra-farmer-attempts-suicide-in-collector-s-office_920140.html

Nagpur: Distraught over not getting compensation for losses suffered in the recent hailstorm in Maharashtra, a farmer consumed poison in the Yavatmal collectorate office, officials said Tuesday. 

The incident occurred late Monday. Farmer Janardhan Raut, 70, hails from Akpuri village and is now battling for life in a hospital. 

"There was this unfortunate incident just outside my office and we rushed him to hospital. We are taking details about the farmer, his debts, losses, etc," Yavatmal collector Ashwin Muddal said.

"We have found a suicide note from his person and we are investigating," an official from Yavatmal police station said. 

According to Kishore Tiwari, chief of  Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, Raut had gone to the collectorate to enquire when he would get the compensation for losses suffered in the hailstorm. 

"He is also facing harassment from some private money lenders for old farm loans, details of which we are inquiring into," Tiwari told IANS. 

The hailstorm and unseasonal rains lashed 28 of the 35 districts in the state in February-March, damaging or destroying standing crops in about 1.90 million hectares of farmland barring the coastal Konkan region.

As many as 18 farmers have committed suicide in the Vidarbha region alone while the state-wide figure has crossed 100, Tiwari said. 

Despite announcements by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and a visit by a central assessment team, the farmers have not received any assistance, he added. 

"The largest number of suicides have taken place in Vidarbha, Marathwada and north Maharashtra. We wonder if all the aid has been diverted to western Maharashtra which has barely reported any case of a farmer ending life in the past couple of weeks," Tiwari said. 

He said the state government has already declared a relief package of about Rs.4,000 crore, but officials at the ground level say the amount would not be disbursed till the Lok Sabha elections are over. 

IANS

17 More Aid Starved Vidarbha Farmers suicide in last Five Days–Maharashtra Hailstorm Affected Region crosses 100 mark.

17 More Aid Starved Vidarbha Farmers suicide in last Five Days–Maharashtra Hailstorm Affected Region crosses 100 mark.

Vidarbha -24^th March 2014

As many as 17  farmers have committed suicide in agrarian crisis hit vidarbha in last five days  and  after Hailstorms unseasoned rain started havoc since 25^th feb. vidarbha alone farm suicide figure has crossed 36  moreover Marathawada reported more than 38 farm suicides and remaining   region Maharashtra has reported 35 cases taking toll to 101 as per media reports receiving from 28 of the 35 districts where  hailstorms and unseasoned rain has  destroyed  crop on over 20 lakh hectares and rural properties ,cattle losses amounting more than Rs.20,000 crore but state govt. announced the relief aid which is too low to compensate losses more over distressed farmers main demand of crop loan waiver and relief aid to tune of 50% damages have been ignored leaving farmers on the brink the  resulting on going farm suicide spiral, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samit (VJAS) informed today .

'We have visited the families 17   farmers who have killed themselves in last five days v.i.z.

1. Shankar Gadmale of village Warud ijara in Yavatmal

2.Krishnna Wankhede of village Sakhara in Yavatmal

3.Sudharkar Potey of village Navargoan in  Yavatmal

4.Damadu Rathode of village Dattpur in Yavatmal

5.Vijay Kasture of village Bothali in Chandrapur

6.Pantyya Regudwar of village Ambe-Dhanora in Chandrapur

7.Subhash Bhogekar of village Shanapur in Chandrapur

8. abhiman i kale of village Borgoan in Chandrapur

9-vasudeo khule Padsad in Nagpur

10.suresh bhusari of village  Gangapur in Nagpur

11.vijay dhore of village Boregoan in -Nagpur

12-santosh lichade of village Kasahkheda in Wardha

13.Yogeshhwar Ladhi  of village -hiwara in Wardha

14-Raju Ghotekar of village Wadner in Wardha

15-Bhagvant Mahajan of village Dhanora in Wardha

16.Yashavant Muley of village Panchala in Wahim

17.Madhav Lanje war of village Nilagodhi  in Bhandara

and seen pathetic condition of distress farmers where even officers have not reached ,the chief secretary of Maharashtra J.S.Sahariya declared last week that  relief aid Rs.4000 crore in being disbursed but the ground the list of farmers have not been finalized ,the apathy and busy schedule of general election we are told local authorities that relief aid can only be given after election thet to farmers whose crop has been damaged more than 50% as per Govt. survey which adding more fuel to existing despair ,Tiwari added.

Hailstorms have affected 28 of the 35 districts, destroying crop on over 19 lakh hectares and leaving farmers on the brink. The rabi wheat, jowar and sugarcane have been damaged, and fruit crops including pomegranate, mango and orange and grapes affected. The State government had asked the Centre for Rs. 5,000-crore relief but centre has given Rs.865 crore which is peanut more over state Govt.a Rs.3,800-crore package for the affected is truing out to be eyewash hence we demand compensation to tune of 50% of actual loss ,complete  loan waiver in all 28 affected districts and free food ,education and health care for next 8 months ,Tiwari urged Govt.

Maharashtra Cotton Farmers urge Narendra Modi to come clean on Agrarian Policies

Maharashtra Cotton Farmers urge Narendra Modi to come clean on Agrarian Policies   

Nagpur-18^th march 2014

India’s most media houses and TV channels and opinion poll gurus favored Prime Minister in waiting Narendra Modi who is visiting Indian farm suicide capital  vidarbha on 2oth march has urged to come clean of NDA agrarian polices so that on going innocent farmers suicide in cotton cultivating region of central and  Sothern India is stopped  by 5 million relief aid starved distressed farmers ,  farm activist group  Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti chief Kishore Tiwari informed in a press release .

‘We have been fighting against existing Indian Govt. Agrarian policies  which is mainly responsible for present debt-trap and last 20 days unseasoned rains and hailstorm damaged  Crops on nearly 15 lakh hectares worth Rs.20,000  crores have been destroyed in as many as 28 of Maharashtra’s 35 districts  hence Narendra Modi’s this visit is very significant as not only distressed dying farmers but scores of activist  groups, environmentalists and agricultural activists, besides farmers’ widows are expected announcements to address the very urgent demands of dry land farmers from drought prone region where 90 % of farmers’ suicides   have been reported hence we have requested him give time meet delegation  and serious attention to unsolved issues related credit, cost of Agri. produce and selection of sustainable crops coupled state protection from market forces for main cash crop cotton and soybean and issues direct subsidy for food crop cultivation and  covering labor cost of cultivation under NAREGA  scheme and food security dry land cotton and soybean cultivators  of farm suicide hit areas ,Tiwari added.

“We are eager to know the NDA’s stand on universal food security. Does he support the market economy and speculative trade in agriculture? What is his stand on genetically modified food which is playing havoc with farmers? Does the NDA support a ban on toxic food items and will it remove  the monopolies of MNCs in food and agriculture?” Tiwari said.

Recent unseasoned rains and hailstorm has added fuel to existing agrarian crisis and issue fresh crop loan and relief aid amount and disbursement to dying more than 3 core population of Maharashtra  has given Narendra Modi’s farm suicide epicenter of India  visit   more importance as this will be seen as NDA policies toward dying farming community of  the region hence PM in waiting should give time to met delegation to farm activist and farm widows and such request has been made BJP state unit president Devendra Fadanvis and Shivsena chief Uddhao Thakare  who are coordinating the tour, Tiwari added. 

If no aid, then NOTA: Vidarbha farmers-Agency: IANS

If no aid, then NOTA: Vidarbha farmers

Saturday, 15 March 2014 - 4:44pm IST | Place: NAGPUR | Agency: IANS

Lakhs of distressed farmers in Vidarbha region have threatened to press the None Of The Above (NOTA) button on voting machines next month if they are not disbursed aid for farm losses immediately, an activist said here Saturday.

A large meeting of farmers and their representatives from different parts of Vidarbha passed a resolution Saturday demanding that aid and relief packages be released by April 10, failing which they would resort to NOTA in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Raising the slogan - "No Aid, No Vote", the farmers also demanded an end to ongoing recovery of debts by the banks and concessions in electricity and water bills.

"Thousands of farmers in the region have suffered double losses -- first in August 2013 when there were devastating floods...followed by the unseasonal heavy rain and hailstorm during the past fortnight," Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti chief Kishore Tiwari told IANS.

"Shockingly, even the aid of Rs.3,000 crores promised last year has yet to reach the farmers. We wonder when the assurances by the government for the March 2014 destruction will actually be fulfilled," he added.

The gathering of around 1,200 at Bhimkund village in Yavatmal was organised to discuss and highlight the plight of the farmers even as all political parties are busy campaigning.

To draw the attention of the authorities, the gathering started with a 'puja' performed on garlanded photos of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

They prayed aloud to the almighty "to give them sense" and urgently guide them to help the farming community of the state reeling under an agrarian crisis since the past ten years.

"In their lust for votes, all political parties across the spectrum have totally ignored the plight of half a million farmers. Farmers have been forced to flee their barren villages and take refuge in the forest with the tribals," said women farmers' leader Kiran Kolvate.

Most parts of Vidarbha, considered among the worst-hit in the recent rains and hailstorms, are to vote April 10 in the first of the three-phased elections in Maharashtra.

Saturday, 15 March 2014 - 4:44pm IST | Place: NAGPUR | Agency: IANS

Kejriwal failed to give answers Vidarbha Farmers Questions over Economic and Political Agenda of AAP

Kejriwal failed to give answers Vidarbha Farmers Questions  over Economic and Political Agenda of AAP

Nagpur -15^th march 2014

5 million relief aid starved distressed farmers failed to get healing touch for AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal as he failed to raise to demands of dying vidarbha farmers more over his complete mum over issue of giving tickets to candidates who are pursuing downright anti-poor people policies  and   his salient   high-profile and media savvy candidate Anjali Damania  allegations that several multi-crore projects partly owned by her have failed to file annual reports and involved in land grabbing activities near new Mumbai area . ," said Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti chief Kishore Tiwari.

‘We gave a set of 15 questions for Kejriwal on a wide spectrum of agriculture and economic issues related to the AAP's stand on universal food security. Does he support the market economy and speculative trade in agriculture? What is his stand on genetically modified food which is playing havoc with farmers? Does the AAP support a ban on toxic food items and will it challenge the monopolies of MNCs in food and agriculture?" Tiwari said.

"For instance, AAP nominee from Chandrapur Wamanrao Chatap is an ardent proponent of GM seeds, BT cotton and simultaneously opposes universal food policy. Where will that leave the poor farmers if AAP comes to power? Accusing the AAP of double-speak and hypocrisy, Tiwari said party leader Prashant Bhushan is fighting for a ban on BT cotton, while in Maharashtra, Chatap who supports corporate giants has been propped up to represent the farmers' cause in parliament. It is indeed strange that on one hand, the AAP swears to support those who pursue pro-people policies, but on the other, selects candidates who pursue diametrically opposite agenda “Tiwari asked.

AAP Nagpur candidates Anjali  Damania, who came to the limelight after she accused BJP leader and her rival for Nagpur’s Lok Sabha constituency Nitin Gadkari of not supporting her cause in opposing a project in Raigad, has raised several eyebrows after she began telling voters: “It does not matter if you do not vote for me; but don’t vote Gadkari which has sparked off a rumour in Nagpur that Damania is carrying out an agenda for Chief Minister (Prithviraj) Chavan  but Kejriwal intentionally kept questions unanswered ,Tiwari  

‘Kejriwal  issued  certificates to all leaders in vidarbha as ’Chor’ but failed to come clean on the wealth and multi-crore projects backed by Damania and serious issues also into the antecedents and ideological leanings of other AAP candidates, whereupon it has been found that some of them are hand-in-glove with genetically modified seed manufacturing companies ”,”he said.

Tiwari further argued that while most progressive and secular social activists continue to extend support to the AAP, “…The choice of candidates made by the party for the Lok Sabha polls has defeated their own agenda of promising a government of stain-free MPs hence we are disappointed”.

Farmers and Tribal Bulldoze Questions to Arvind Kejriwal on GM food- open economy and food security

On eve Vidarbha Tour-Farmers and Tribal Bulldoze Questions to Arvind Kejriwal on GM food- open economy and food security  

Nagpur- March 12, 2014

Farmers and tribal in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra have been irritated on  Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) over selection of parliamentary candidate for the Chandrapur seat, who they accuse of being a strong supporter of genetically modified (GM) seeds,

 “We are shocked with the selection of the AAP candidate especially when Advocate Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav are working as core group members of the Political Affairs Committee of AAP advocating that the monopolies of MNCs [multinational corporations] and free trade coupled with GM seed technology is killing the Vidarbha farmers hence we have raised 15 questions to Arvind Kejriwal so that AAP stand these core issues cleared ,” Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) told today.

Questions are

1. What is stand of AAP on universal food security?

2. Do they support open economy and free trade in agriculture?

3. Do they support GM food and to they support the ban on toxic food and monopolies of US MNCs in seed and other agriculture inputs?

4. Do they support Tribal farmer’s land grabbing by AAP leaders in Maharashtra?

5. Do they believe in Indian constitution and Indian democracy?

6. What is stand of AAP on paid news and recent reports interview fixing?

7. What is stand of AAP on big dams and nuclear power projects?

8. What is stand of AAP on Reservation to SC/ST in all sector of society?

9. Do they believe in internal democracy in AAP?

10. What is policy of AAP on PPP development model and ‘Toll free India’?

11. How land mafia, builders, liquor don and criminals are AAP parliament candidates?

12. Why are AAP leaders are retaining Govt. houses when they have resigned?  

13. How do you justify Rs.10,000 per person entry pass for your Nagpur dinner  to discuss Aam Adami issues ?

14. Why all party candidates are ‘Khas’ when party was formed to represent the ‘Aam’?

15. how do you justify AAP’s policy of accusing all other parties without going logical conclusion sometime you do not take any responsibility of answers peoples questions which has discredited a lot ,please explain?

‘We have requested Arvind Kejriwal to come clean on this confusion as earlier too  ,we remained AAP leader Adv.Prashant bhusan  that as he been lobbying to ban Bt cotton seeds and toxic GM food in India as well as advocating universal food security for all tribals and dryland farmers and know they are promoting candiates as APP .

According to him, the AAP, on the one hand, is giving a ticket to a candidate who is a close associate of Sharad Joshi — a farm leader and supporter of GM Bt cotton seeds who is anti-Food Security Act — while simultaneously giving a ticket to Medha Patkar, a well-known social activist.

“Obviously, there is a communication gap among AAP leaders, which is unfortunate.”

Last year, Tiwari said, Chatap had openly criticised the Food Security Act of the UPA government, describing it as anti-farmer, would fuel inflation and destroy dignity of labour.

However Tiwari said that with the monopoly, particularly of Monsanto, in the sale of GM Bt cotton seeds in Vidarbha, cultivating cotton as a cash crop was becoming too expensive for small farmers.

“Today, we only have to depend on GM Bt cotton seeds since indigenous seeds are unavailable. In a situation where cotton cultivation is unsustainable, food security for farmers is of utmost importance. Therefore, our worry is what if such candidates come to power and ignore the needs of small farmers — constituting around 3 million cotton farmers and 5 million food starved tribals of Vidarbha region,” he asks anxiously.

Recently, the AAP said, “It is to be remembered that seed sovereignty is akin to national sovereignty in an agrarian country like ours and it is unacceptable that the UPA government plans to sell our swaraj/sovereignty lock stock and barrel to biotech seed companies.”

It condemned the action of Environment Minister Veerappa Moily to “approve these field trials and make this country a laboratory for risky GM crops and demand that all field trials be stopped and an inquiry initiated on the undue hurry of the minister’s action.”

Farmers ask AAP to change Chandrapur candidate-Gulf News Report

Farmers ask AAP to change Chandrapur candidate

Farmers accuse Wamanrao Chatap of being a strong 

supporter of genetically modified seeds

• By Pamela Raghunath, Correspondent
• Published: 19:02 March 10, 2014

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/farmers-ask-aap-to-change-chandrapur-candidate-1.1302080

Mumbai: Farmers in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra have criticised the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) parliamentary candidate for the Chandrapur seat, who they accuse of being a strong supporter of genetically modified (GM) seeds,

Impoverished farmers in this region oppose GM seeds.

“We are shocked with the selection of the AAP candidate especially when Advocate Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav are working as core group members of the Political Affairs Committee of AAP advocating that the monopolies of MNCs [multinational corporations] and free trade coupled with GM seed technology is killing the Vidarbha farmers,” Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) told Gulf News.

Tiwari said Bhushan had in fact been lobbying to ban Bt cotton seeds and toxic GM food in India as well as advocating universal food security for all tribals and dryland farmers.

He urged the AAP to change their Chandrapur candidate, Wamanrao Chatap, “in order to save AAP’s credibility before the nation.”

According to him, the AAP, on the one hand, is giving a ticket to a candidate who is a close associate of Sharad Joshi — a farm leader and supporter of GM Bt cotton seeds who is anti-Food Security Act — while simultaneously giving a ticket to Medha Patkar, a well-known social activist.

“Obviously, there is a communication gap among AAP leaders, which is unfortunate.”

Last year, Tiwari said, Chatap had openly criticised the Food Security Act of the UPA government, describing it as anti-farmer, would fuel inflation and destroy dignity of labour.

However Tiwari said that with the monopoly, particularly of Monsanto, in the sale of GM Bt cotton seeds in Vidarbha, cultivating cotton as a cash crop was becoming too expensive for small farmers.

“Today, we only have to depend on GM Bt cotton seeds since indigenous seeds are unavailable. In a situation where cotton cultivation is unsustainable, food security for farmers is of utmost importance. Therefore, our worry is what if such candidates come to power and ignore the needs of small farmers — constituting around 3 million cotton farmers and 5 million food starved tribals of Vidarbha region,” he asks anxiously.

Recently, the AAP said, “It is to be remembered that seed sovereignty is akin to national sovereignty in an agrarian country like ours and it is unacceptable that the UPA government plans to sell our swaraj/sovereignty lock stock and barrel to biotech seed companies.”

It condemned the action of Environment Minister Veerappa Moily to “approve these field trials and make this country a laboratory for risky GM crops and demand that all field trials be stopped and an inquiry initiated on the undue hurry of the minister’s action.”

' आम्हाला सन्मानाने जगू द्या 'शेतकरी विधवांचा एल्गार-जागतिक महिला दिनी उपोषण

' आम्हाला सन्मानाने जगू द्या 'शेतकरी विधवांचा एल्गार-जागतिक महिला दिनी उपोषण 

 उपोषणास बसलेले विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे नेते किशोर तिवारी व शेतकरी विधवास्थानिक

प्रतिनिधी / यवतमाळ 

विदर्भात २00४ पासून होत असलेल्या शेतकरी आत्महत्यांनी ११ हजारावर निष्पाप शेतकरी विधवा व त्यांचे असहाय्य कुटुंबिय कर्जाच्या ओझ्यात विपन्नावस्थेच्या आर्थिक संकटात उपासमारीला तोंड देत असून या शेतकरी विधवांच्या ह्रदय हेलावणार्‍या दु:खाची वाट जागतिक महिलादिनी पांढरकवडा येथे आयोजित त्यांच्या उपोषण सत्याग्रहात मोकळी झाली व त्यांची प्रत्येक पाऊलावर होणारी प्रताडणा जीवन जगण्याचा लढा सन्मान व अधिकाराच्या प्राप्तीसाठी लागणारा संघर्ष पुरोगामी सरकार व समाजाला कलंक लावणारा असून सरकारने मागील दशकात शेतकर्‍याच्या आत्महत्यानंतर मदतीपासून वंचित असलेल्या १0 हजार शेतकरी विधवांना त्यांच्या शेतीचा अधिकार देण्यात यावा, त्यांच्या कुटुंबियांवरील संपुर्ण कर्ज माफ करण्यात यावे, प्रत्येक शेतकरी विधवांना ५ हजार रुपये प्रतिमहा सामाजिक सुरक्षा निर्वाह भत्ता देण्यात यावा, अन्नपुर्णा योजने अंतर्गत अन्नसुरक्षा देण्यात यावी, शेतकरी विधवांच्या मुलामुलीचे सर्व उच्च शिक्षण सरकारने मोफत करावे व शेतकरी विधवांच्या कुटुंबांना मोफत आरोग्य सुविधा द्यावी ज्या १0 हजार कुटुंबात शेतकर्‍यांच्या आत्महत्या झाल्या आहे. त्या कुटुंबातील एक व्यक्तीला सरकारी नोकरी देण्यात यावी असा एकमुखी ठराव मांडला व शेतकरी विधवा चंद्रकला मेर्शाम, अर्चना राऊत यांनी अनुमोदन केले. 

या शेतकरी विधवांच्या उपोषण सत्याग्रहात अर्पणा मालीकर, रेखा गुणरुले, भारती पवार, माया वैद्य, शिला मांडवगडे, सरस्वतीबाई अंबरवार, अंजुबाई भुसारी, निर्मला शेंडे, नंदा भेंडारे, वंदना शेंडे, पुष्पा प्रधान, गिता राठोड, इंदुबाई आष्टेकर, रत्नमाला टेकाम, सुशीला आस्वले, लता भोयर, मिराबाई लोडे, मंगला बेतवार, पौर्णिमा कोपूलवार, रेखा चाहारे, संगीता पंचनेत्रीवार, उमा जिड्डेवार, ज्योती जिड्डेवार, गिता चिंचोळकर, कमलबाई सुरपाम, पार्वताबाई सोयाम, मंगलाताई किनाके, रमा ठमके, वंदना मोहुर्ले, प्रेमीला गेडाम, निर्मला कोहचाडे, राधाबाई मरापे यांनी सहभाग घेतला व आपल्या मागण्या रेटल्या. 

निवडणुकीच्या धामधुमीमध्ये सारे राजकीय नेते व्यस्त आहे. मस्तवाल अधिकारी आचार संहितेच्या नावावर निरंकुश झाले आहे. अशा परिस्थितीमध्ये गारपीटग्रस्त व दुष्काळग्रस्त श्ेातकर्‍यांचे अर्शू पुसण्यात कोणीही तयार नाही. महाराष्ट्रातील अभुतपुर्व गारपीट व सैतानी पावसाने त्रस्त झालेल्या सुमारे ३0 लाख शेतकरी व ग्रामीण जनतेला तात्काळ मदत देण्यासाठी मुख्य निवडणूक आयोगाला विशेष ठराव करून या उपोषण सत्याग्रहात पारीत करण्यात आला व त्यांचा फॅक्स मुख्य निवडणूक आयुक्त, महाराष्ट्राचे मुख्य निवडणूक अधिकारी यांना देण्यात आल्याची उपोषण सत्याग्रहात शेतकरी नेते किशोर तिवारी, मोहन जाधव, सुरेश बोलेनवार, अंकीत नैताम, मोरेश्‍वर वातीले, नितिन कांबळे, नंदु जयस्वाल, भूमराव नैताम, प्रेम चव्हाण, संतोष नैताम, सुनिल राऊत सहभागी झाले होते

International Women's Day: Vidarbha Farm Widows to observe 'Protest Day' to Draw Attention Ignored Plights

International Women's Day: Vidarbha Farm Widows to observe 'Protest Day' to Draw Attention Ignored  Plights 

Nagpur -7th march 2014

Hundreds of vidarbha farmers widows will  on hunger strike observing it as ‘protest day’ against continuous apathy of Govt. and law makers demanding restoration of ‘right to live’ with dignity and respect. More than 5 million farm families are under severe agrarian crisis and has lost complete crop this year due massive rain and flood. West Vidarbha region is already on international focus over on going farmers suicides since 2005..even administration has declared wet drought in the region farmers are committing suicide due forceful recovery from banks and aid starved farm families  are till not getting the basic facilities like food security ,health security and educational assistance to their wards even all committees of expert have already recommended in 2008 as the vidarbha region has-been in the grip of agrarian crisis and farmers are being forced to kill themselves due mounting debt and cotton crop failure as since June 2005 till date more than 11000 cotton farmers committees suicides as per record of NCRB but Govt. failed to provide any long term sustainable solution to the crisis hence farm widows will raise their demands for urgent relief aid, complete debt waiver to crop damaged farmers and higher MSP to cotton @ Rs.6000 per quintal,” said Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS).Prominent Farm widows  who will join 8th march protest include Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) fame Aparna Malikar, Bharati Pawar, Nanda Bhandare, Bebitai Bais, Shahsikala Gatakawar, Gita Rathode, Archna Raut, Mangala Betwar, Poornima Kopulwar, Swaraswatibai Amabarwar, Anjubai Bhusari, Uma Jiddewar, Pushpa Pradhan and Rama Thamake, Tiwari added.

'The core issue of vidarbha farmers on going suicide is revolving around the crisis of crop selection, no availability of institutional credit and poor rates to cotton and soybean and issue of crop, credit and cost has been getting worst day by day which fueling more despair and distress in the on going agrarian crisis, vidarbha farmers are being forced to cultivate cash crop like BT. cotton which not sustainable to dry land farmers of region and bankers are not ready give fresh crop loan to farmers who are drought hit forcing them to take loan from private money lenders and prices of cotton and soybean is controlled by market forces and Govt. intervention is nil resulting in huge losses to agrarian community hence we want long term solution to vidarbha agrarian crisis' Tiwari added.

'Govt.failed to give family pension and food security and land rights to these more tahn 11000 farm widows and they are living in pathatic condition but till their legitimate demands are not being considered even after their continues protest which is matter of shame for all political parties' Babitai bais Vidarbha farm widows association president informed today. 

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शेतकरी विधवांचा एल्गार-जागतिक महिला दिनी उपोषण करणार

शेतकरी विधवांचा एल्गार-जागतिक महिला दिनी उपोषण करणार

यवतमाळ : खरीप हंगामानंतर विदर्भातील रबी हंगामसुद्धा निसर्गाच्या अवकृपेमुळे उद्ध्वस्त झाला आहे. बँकांच्या सक्तीच्या वसुलीमुळे दुष्काळग्रस्त शेतकर्‍यांच्या आत्महत्या सुरू असून बँकांकडून होणारी कर्ज वसुली त्वरित थांबवावी व शेतकर्‍यांना तत्काळ मदत घोषित व्हावी, या मागणीसाठी जागतिक महिला दिनी शेतकरी विधवा उपोषण करणार असल्याची माहिती विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे किशोर तिवारी यांनी एका प्रसिद्धी पत्रकातून दिली आहे. विदर्भात अतवृष्टीमुळे बारा लाख हेक्टरवरील खरीप पिकांचे नुकसान झाले. रबी पिकासाठी अनेक शेतकर्‍यांना खासगी सावकाराकडून कर्ज घ्यावे लागले. मागील आठ दिवसात गारपिटीने तूर, गहू, चणा आदी रबी पिके उद्ध्वस्त झाली असून शेतकरी आर्थिक संकटात सापडला आहे. याच वेळी बँकांनी सक्तीची वसुली सुरू केल्यामुळे शेतकरी हतबल झाला असून आत्महत्यांचे सत्र मात्र कायम आहे. जिल्ह्यातील आर्णी तालुक्यातील वाई रुई येथील गजानन जतकर, मारेगाव तालुक्यातील जळका येथील अशोक कोहचाडे तर घाटंजी तालुक्यातील गणेरी येथील नागोराव गेडाम या शेतकर्‍यांनी मृत्यूला कवटाळले आहे.एकीकडे जिल्ह्यात दुष्काळ घोषित केला जातो तर दुसरीकडे बँका मात्र शेतकर्‍यांकडून कर्ज वसुली करण्यासाठी नोटीस पाठवून शेतकर्‍यांना आत्महत्येस प्रवृत्त करीत असल्याचा आरोप प्रसिद्धी पत्रकातून करण्यात आला आहे. त्यामुळे खरीप व रबीच्या नुकसानीची रक्कम व बँकांच्या सक्तीच्या वसुलीवर प्रतिबंध घालावा, यासाठी आता शेकडो आत्महत्याग्रस्त शेतकरी विधवांनी उपोषणाचे अस्त्र उचलले आहे. शेतकर्‍यांच्या या आत्महत्यांना सरकार व बँक प्रशासन जबाबदार असल्याचा आरोप करीत ही वसुली तत्काळ थांबवावी, अशी मागणी करण्यात आली आहे. घाटंजी तालुक्यातील सावरगाव येथील शेतकरी गणपत कन्नलवार यांनी पाच ते सहा शेतकर्‍यांची तूर घाटंजी येथे विकून आलेला रकमेचा धनादेश स्टेट बँक पारवा येथे जमा केल्यावर व्यवस्थापकांनी ही सर्व रक्कम पीक कर्जात जमा करू, अशी माहिती देवून कन्नलवार यांना जबरदस्त धक्का दिला. यावेळी कन्नलवार यांनी यवतमाळ जिल्हाधिकार्‍यांनी १५ जानेवारीला जिल्ह्याची आणेवारी ४६ टक्के घोषित करून दुष्काळ जाहीर केला आहे तर पुनर्वसन मंत्री पतंगराव कदम यांनी बँकांच्या सक्तीच्या वसुलीवर रोक लावली असल्याच्या बातम्या दाखविल्यावरही सदर बँक व्यवस्थापकांनी त्यांना धमकावून हाकलून दिले.

विदर्भातील ३ लाख हेक्टरवरील पिके उद्ध्वस्त-बँकांची वसुली बंद व्हावी व मदत घोषित करावी या मागणीसाठी ८ मार्च जागतिक महिला दिनी शेकडो शेतकरी विधवा उपोषण सत्याग्रह

विदर्भातील ३ लाख हेक्टरवरील पिके उद्ध्वस्त

आत्महत्याग्रस्त शेतकरी कुटुंबाची व्यथा ऐकताना किशोर तिवारीॅ स्थानिक प्रतिनिधी/यवतमाळ विदर्भात अतवृष्टीमुळे खरीपाचे १२ लाख हेक्टरमधील पिकांची नासाडी झाल्यानंतर नव्या उमेदीने आशेचा किरण म्हणून रब्बीचे पीक घेण्यासाठी खाजगी सावकाराच्या दारोदारी फिरुन कर्ज घेऊन प्रतीक्षेत असलेल्या मागील ८ दिवसांच्या गारपिटीने संपूर्ण ३ लाख हेक्टरमधील चना, तूर व गहू सारख्या रब्बी पिकांचे नुकसान झाल्यामुळे शेतकरी प्रचंड संकटात आले असल्याची माहिती विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे नेते किशोर तिवारी यांनी दिली. याच वेळी बँकांनी सक्तीची वसुली सुरू केल्यामुळे शेतकर्‍यांच्या आत्महत्येचे सत्र सुरू झाले असून यवतमाळ जिल्ह्य़ातील आर्णी तालुक्यातील वाई- रुई येथील शेतकरी गजानन जतकर, मारेगाव तालुक्यातील जळका येथील शेतकरी अशोक कोहचाडे तर घाटंजी तालुक्यातील गणेरी येथील शेतकरी नागोराव गेडाम यांच्या आत्महत्यांना आघाडी सरकार जबाबदार असून बँकांची वसुली बंद व्हावी व शेतकर्‍यांना तात्काळ मदत घोषित करावी या मागणीसाठी ८ मार्च जागतिक महिला दिनी शेकडो शेतकरी विधवा उपोषण सत्याग्रह करून लोकप्रतिनिधींची झोप जागविण्यासाठी जागरण यज्ञ करतील अशी माहिती विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे नेते किशोर तिवारी यांनी दिली. घाटंजी तालुक्यातील सावरगावचे शेतकरी गणपतराव कन्नलवार यांनी गाडी करून ५ ते ६ शेतकर्‍यांची तूर घाटंजीला विकुन आलेल्या रक्कमेचा धनादेश स्टेट बँक पारवा येथे जमा केल्यावर बँक पारवा येथील व्यवस्थापक पांडे यांनी ही सर्व रक्कम आपण पीक कर्जात जमा केली. अशी माहिती दिल्याने गणपतराव कन्नलवार यांना धक्काच बसला. कन्नलवार यांनी यवतमाळ जिल्हाधिकारी यांनी १५ जानेवारीला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्य़ाची आणेवारी ४६ टक्के घोषित करून दुष्काळ जाहीर केला तर महाराष्ट्राचे पुनर्वसन मंत्री पतंगराव कदम यांनी बँकांच्या सक्तीच्या वसुलीवर रोक लावली असल्याच्या बातम्या दाखविल्यावर तुम्ही या बातम्या घेऊन जिल्हाधिकारी व मंत्र्यांकडे जा, आम्हाला बँक अधिकार्‍यांची सक्तीच्या वसुलीचे आदेश दिले असून आम्ही ते करणार अशी धमकी देऊन हाकलून दिले. विदर्भात मंत्री येतात घोषणा करतात व जिल्हाधिकारी आणेवारी काढून घोषणा करतात मात्र बँक वसुलीच्या नोटीसा पाठवून शेतकर्‍यांना आत्महत्येस प्रवृत्त करतात याचे सशक्त उदाहरण जळका येथील शेतकरी अशोक कोहचाडे यांची आत्महत्या असून बँकाच्या वसुल्या व शेतकर्‍यांची उपेक्षा यामुळे शेतकर्‍यांच्या आत्महत्या वाढणार असून याला आघाडी सरकार पूर्णपणे जबाबदार आहे, असा आरोप किशोर तिवारी यांनी केला. जर ८ मार्च पर्यंत खरीप व रब्बीच्या नुकसानीची रक्कम व बँकांच्या सक्तीच्या वसुलीवर रोक लागली नाही तर शेकडो शेतकरी विधवासह दुष्काळग्रस्त शेतकरी बेमुदत उपोषणाचा मार्ग स्वीकारतील व कोणत्याही आमदार व खासदारांना निवडणुकीच्या प्रचारासाठी सभा किंवा दौरे करू देणार नाही, असा इशारा सुद्धा किशोर तिवारी यांनी दिला आहे.

Activists urge AAP candidate to clarify on plum projects-Deccan Herald

Activists urge AAP candidate to clarify on plum projects

Mumbai, March 2, 2014, DHNS:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/389453/activists-urge-aap-candidate-clarify.html#

The Aam Aadmi Party’s high-profile and media savvy candidate Anjali Damania is fast getting into hot waters, with several secular farmland activists in Nagpur demanding that she come clean on allegations that several multi-crore projects partly owned by her have failed to file annual reports.

Damania, who came to the limelight after she accused BJP leader and her rival for Nagpur’s Lok Sabha constituency Nitin Gadkari of not supporting her cause in opposing a project in Raigad, has raised several eyebrows after she began telling voters: “It does not matter if you do not vote for me; but don’t vote Gadkari.”

Talking to Deccan Herald from Nagpur, farmland activist and Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti founder Kishore Tiwari said: “Such remarks have sparked off a rumour in Nagpur that Damania is carrying out an agenda for Chief Minister (Prithviraj) Chavan and BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who is an arch-rival of Gadkari within the party.

“Moreover, the AAP is likely to get a severe jolt with the kind of allegations that are floating around and gaining momentum in the Vidarbha region. Most regional dailies that have been anti-Gadkari have now turned the spotlight on the wealth and multi-crore projects backed by Damania,”he said. 

“These newspapers had always been supportive of the AAP, but Damania’s refusal to come clean has only led to more digging, not just into her financial activities but also into the antecedents and ideological leanings of other AAP candidates, whereupon it has been found that some of them are hand-in-glove with genetically modified seed manufacturing companies.”

Tiwari further argued that while most progressive and secular social activists continue to extend support to the AAP, “…The choice of candidates made by the party for the Lok Sabha polls has defeated their own agenda of promising a government of stain-free MPs”