“White Paper” on Irrigation scam is Eyewash attempt to save Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare :Vidarbha Farm widows to burn copies of “White Paper”

“White Paper” on Irrigation scam is Eyewash attempt to save Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare :Vidarbha Farm widows to burn copies of “White Paper”

NAGPUR: 30 November 30, 2012

Most awaited ‘white Paper’ on irrigation massive scam in which ministers floated rules to siphoned our Rs.50,000 crore money spent on irrigation project has turned out to be another hoax and now it’s hostile attempt on Mahrashtra Govt. to protect involved ministers  Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare and give them clean chit as white paper has been salient on these issues raised by media, activist and senior irrigation officials who has raised serious questions on the functioning of these ministers which has forced Ajit pawar to step down  as Dy.Chief Minister  of Maharashtra ,will have very serious implication over creditability of Maharashtra CM, alleged Vidarbha farmers pressure group Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti  president Kishore Tiwari urging the Indian prime minister to initiate the action .

“It was expected when media exposed the corruption followed by activist and opposition, Maharashtra Govt. managed to give impression that truth of massive Rs.50,000 crore irrigation scam will be placed before the nation and ministers and Babus involved in corruption will have to face prosecution but web copy  of white paper disappointed us that there is baseless data has discussed but nothing about the scam and fixing of it’s accountability is even referred hence this is bankrupt attempt of administration to cover up the historic scam which is directly related massive farmers genocide amounting more than 30,000 in last decade as per NCRB report in Maharashtra .we will protest the Govt. move and will start agitation against Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare  till they jailed ,hundreds of farm widows who are victims of vidarbha agrarian crisis will burn the copy of this fabricated ‘white paper’ on 11^th December and will distribute “Black Paper” irrigation scam in which NCP ministers and Ajit Pawar, directly involved ,we will atke this issue to it’s logical conclusion” Tiwari added.  

When Prime Minister Dr.Man Mohansingh declared Rs.3750 crore on 1^st July 2006 at Nagpur a special vidarbha relief package in which he e more than Rs.2800 crore for increasing irrigation facility in order to stop on going farmer suicides promising more fund flow for completing all pending irrigation projects of vidarbha ,it was never thought that even Rs.30,000 crore given for irrigation project will be siphoned out and condition as per irrigation facilities are concerned are more worst in 2012 than 2006 ,thanks to the super power minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare resulting more than 7116 vidrabha farmers suicides after July 2006  which case of mass genocide of vidarbha farmers inviting criminal prosecution of Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare ,Tiwari said

‘In fact irrigation Vidarbha for years suffered neglect under irrigation department run by western Maharashtra politicians but irrigation scam of  state's deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar who was state's irrigation minister from 1999 to 2009 and also ex-officio chairman of VIDC and then Sunil Tatkare  is massive one as  38 ongoing irrigation schemes by increasing their estimated costs by over four times to Rs 26,722.23 crore from the original Rs 6672.27 crore. This happened in a single year - 2009 - with a majority of approvals given in three months, between June and August, just a couple of months before the state elections by going  out of the way to favour a group of contractors that included Rajya Sabha member Ajay Sancheti, Sancheti who has a major stake in irrigation business is reported to be also close to Pawar. A group of contractors including Sancheti, Avinash Bhosle of Pune who was named in CIDCO land scam and Yavatmal MLC Sandip Bajoria ,MLC Mitesh Bangadiya, a contractor are among the chosen few to have got mobilization advance even though there was no such clause in original tender document. It is highly shocking MP Ajay Sancheti circumvented the rules to bag contracts hence we demand criminal action against all are involved in this irrigation scam amounting more tha Rs.30,000 crore’ Kishore Tiwari  added.

‘if money given for these irrigation project ,debt trapped and distressed vidarbha farmer would have been benefited and farmer suicides would have been stopped but all money to increase irrigation facility has taken away by these minister who are the killer of these vidarbha farmers hence criminal action against these ministers and contractors is must’ Tiwari added .

Panel led by Kakodkar to approve GM crops' trial-TIMES OF INDIA

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Panel led by Kakodkar to approve GM crops' trial

By Ashish Roy, TNN | Nov 29, 2012, 01.59 AM IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Panel-led-by-Kakodkar-to-approve-GM-crops-trial/articleshow/17407778.cms?prtpage=1

***Farmer activist Kishor Tiwari feels that the committee is an eyewash. "There is a dichotomy in the government's approach. On the one hand our agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil is promoting organic farming and on the other chief minister Prithviraj Chavan wants GM crops. Chavan has always been in favour of GM products. Kakodkar has been chosen because he too is in favour of GM crops.

"Bt cotton has been a miserable failure in the state. The government itself admits this indirectly. It has ruined the cotton farmers of west Vidarbha andMarathwada. Now, does it want to ruin the paddy farmers of east Vidarbha and Konkan," an angry Tiwari asked.***

NAGPUR: In a move that will raise hackles of anti-GM (genetically modified) crop activists, state government has set up committee under famous nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar to advise the government on allowing field trial for a particular GM-variety developed by a company. If this committee clears the crop variety, then its trial would be allowed by the government.

Besides Kakodkar, the ten-member panel comprises vice-chancellors and directors (research) of the four agriculture universities of the state and the agriculture commissioner as the member secretary. Earlier, only central government's nod was required for field trials. However, now no objection certificate (NOC) of the government of state where the trial will be conducted is required. Some states have banned such trials completely.

Agriculture commissioner Umakant Dangat said any company desirous of conducting a field trial of GM crop would have to submit its proposal to agriculture ministry or the commissionerate. The committee would then study the impact of the crop and submit a report to the government. "We will study the possible impact on humans, animals, environment and biodiversity. The physical, social and economic impact would also be assessed. No aspect would be left untouched," Dangat explained.

The commissioner said he would meet Kakodkar on December 3 and the two would prepare a brief for the first meeting of the committee. "We will make experts in biotechnology special invitees," he added.

Earlier, in March 2012, the government had set up an internal committee headed by agriculture commissioner and having the directors (research) of the four agriculture universities as members. There was no procedure for deciding whether field trial should be allowed and the committee was expected to do that. However, later the government realized that GM crops was a complicated issue and hence it expanded the committee and roped in Kakodkar.

Farmer activist Kishor Tiwari feels that the committee is an eyewash. "There is a dichotomy in the government's approach. On the one hand our agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil is promoting organic farming and on the other chief minister Prithviraj Chavan wants GM crops. Chavan has always been in favour of GM products. Kakodkar has been chosen because he too is in favour of GM crops.

"Bt cotton has been a miserable failure in the state. The government itself admits this indirectly. It has ruined the cotton farmers of west Vidarbha andMarathwada. Now, does it want to ruin the paddy farmers of east Vidarbha and Konkan," an angry Tiwari asked.

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Bt failure to hit cotton yield by 40%: Govt-DNA

  http://www.dnaindia.com/

Bt failure to hit cotton yield by 40%: Govt

DNA / Yogesh Pawar / Monday, November 26, 2012 5:48 IST

URL of the article: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_bt-failure-to-hit-cotton-yield-by-40pct-govt_1769428-all

For the first time, Maharashtra has officially admitted that cotton yield is likely to reduce by nearly 40%. Bt cotton failure in more than 4 million hectares of land has reduced cotton yieldfrom 3.5 million quintal to 2.2 million quintal.

A report sent by the state agricultural department to the Centre states that the estimate of the net direct economic loss to cotton farmers in the state will be nearly Rs6,000 crore, whereas accumulated losses are likely to cross more than Rs20,000 crore due to a steep rise in cultivation costs.

Farmers and activists in the state’s cotton belt say the rise in the prices of Bt cotton seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and labour since last year has had a huge impact. “The agrarian crisis sweeping through the state due to Bt cotton failure has only widened. Unlike when cotton crop failure was reported only from Vidarbha and Marathawada, reports of such crop failure are now coming in from Khandesh in north Maharashtra, too,” said Kishore Tiwari of farm advocacy group Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti.

National Crime Records Bureau reveals that the number of farmer suicides in Maharashtra are likely to cross 5,000 this year in comparison to the 3,500 last year. The figures last year were, in fact, the highest among all states in India.

This is the third year in a row that Bt cotton failure is being reported in Mahahrashtra. Last year, the state paid Rs2,000 crore to 4 million cotton farmers as compensation. Unlike earlier when dry land farmers were affected, even areas with adequate irrigation are facing a crop loss this year.

Ravindra Shinde, a farmer from Dhamane village in Dhule, had taken a loan like several others, and is now worried about repaying it. “I spent Rs50,000 per hectare this year but Rs30,000 last year. Now with crops failing, I don’t know what to do?” he said.

According to state records, Maharashtra grows Bt cotton in 4.2 million hectares of land. This is the largest among all cotton-producing states. Even thenit has been reporting lowest cotton yield of about 5 quintal per hectare since 2006. The latest official estimate says this is likely to fall to 3 quintal per hectare. “This means a net loss of more than Rs38,000 per hectare!” points out Tiwari, who plans to lead debt-trapped farmers in march to the legislative council on December 11 during the winter session at Nagpur.

“We demand a compensation of Rs20,000 per hectare and fresh crop loans for every farmer for the ensuing kharif season. We also want food security and free health education, along with the implementation ofland development, soil enrichment and watershed development under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act,” he said.

He appealed to the government not to mock the farmers. “We hope the state relief packages actually help farmers this time instead of just benefiting contractors, politicians and multinational agro majors like it has in the past.”

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Maharashtra reports Bt.cotton failure in 4 Million Hector – Thousands Cotton Farmers to Council Hall Nagpur on 11th December for compensation

Maharashtra reports Bt.cotton failure in 4 Million Hector – Thousands Cotton Farmers to Council Hall Nagpur   on 11^th December for compensation

Nagpur -24^th November 2012

First time Maharashtra officially admitted that this year cotton yield like to lower down by 40% form 3.5 million quintal to 2.2 million quintal due to Bt.cotton failure in more than 4 million hectors net direct economic loss of Maharashtra cotton farmers to tune of Rs.6000 crore where as accumulated losses   likely to cross more than Rs.20,000 crore due to steep rise in cultivation cost v.i.z. Bt.cotton seed ,fertilizer, pesticide  and labor hence Bt.cotton failure which was reported in part of vidarbha and Marathawada now more reports of cotton crop failure is surfaced from khandesh and north Maharashtra   and this crop failure will add fuel to on going agrarian crisis and Maharashtra farmers suicides number is likely to cross over 5000 this year in comparison to   around 3500 last year which was highest in among all states of India  as per record  of NCRB ,Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti ,activist group working for rights of farmers since 1997 informed in press release today .

“This third year in row Bt.cotton failure is being reported last year Govt. of Maharashtra paid Rs.2000 crore to 4 million cotton farmers as relief compensation and this year too same situation which is forcing cotton farmers kill themselves .last year Bt.cotton failure was restricted to dry land farmers of Maharashtra but this year even progressive farmers who are having irrigation facility has severely effected   with low yield of the Bt.cotton  where as cost of cultivation in Maharashtra averaging out to be  @ Rs.50,000/-  per hector in comparison to Rs.30,000/- per hector of last year .Maharashtra is having Bt.cotton cultivation as per official record in 4.2 million which largest in all states but has been reported lowest cotton yield of around 5 quintal per hector since 2006  now new   official estimates likely to report 3 quintal per hector  which is returning around Rs.12000 per hector resulting in more than Rs.38,000 per hector net loss to debt trapped distressed farmers hence serious consideration and white paper on Maharashtra cotton farmer is must hence we are marching on 11^th December to council hall in which thousands of farmers will participate along with hundreds of widows ”  Tiwari added.

‘More than 5 million cotton farmers of Maharashtra demands Rs.20,000/- pr hector compensation for Bt.cotton failure ,fresh crop loan to every farmer for next khariff season and food security and free health and education to distressed debt trapped farmers along with work in each farmer field under MGREGA related land development, soil  enrichment   and watershed development hence this protest and we hope that state will come out relief package directly targeting dying farmers not benefiting contractors and corrupt politicians ’ Tiwari urged .   

Vidarbha farmers demands Uniform Price for Sugarcane in Maharashtra

Vidarbha farmers demands uniform price for sugarcane in Maharashtra

Nagpur -14 November 2012

While extending unconditional support to on going sugarcane farmers demands and on going protest for higher procurement price ,Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti ,farmer lobby group in vidarbha raised demand that three slab pricing formula will be injustice to sugarcane growers of Vidarbha-Marathawada  as in the whole Maharashtra Poor sugarcane crop is leading to cultivators demanding a higher price for their produce from sugar cooperatives, most of which are controlled by the Congress-NCP ministers and BJP Leaders . Maharashtra is expected to have an output of just 536 lakh metric tons (LMT) this year as compared to last year’s 756 LMT. While the 2011-12 crushing season saw about 167 sugar factories functioning, the number this year is expected to drop to 136,crop failure has been caused due to poor rains as well sudden rise in cost cultivation ,Kishore Tiwari Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti informed in press release today.

“The settle formula of best quality sugarcane per ton is based on the calculation that one ton sugarcane give  one quintal sugar and sugar average market minus processing charges should to decide tentative price but now sugar is not only prime product of sugar factories and “Ethanol and Power” are main cost deciding factors hence low yield of sugar is  nothing but higher production of “Ethanol and Power”  hence we are demanding uniform price for a first advance  and total procurement price in order to save debt trapped sugarcane farmers of Maharashtra” Tiwari added.

Last year  three slab formula was adopted and vidarbha-marathawda sugarcane growers were given step-motherly treatment which is likely to be repeated to stop on going protest which will add fuel existing agrarian crisis of dry land region on rest of Maharashtra  where sugarcane is being promoted by all party political ethanol cartel, hence this demand

“The existing unrest among sugarcane farmers is multiple issues one that the sugar mills have begun operations without giving last year’s final rate and this year’s first advance to farmers moreover higher price to sugarcane can be compensated by giving higher price to ethanol but even after sugar is trade @Rs.4000 quintal till sugar factory lobby is not ready to pay sustainable price to sugarcane that is most unfortunate” Tiwari asked. .

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As Prithviraj Chavan completed two years as Maharashtra CM-Three more Maharashtra farmers end life-IANS

As Prithviraj Chavan completed two years as Maharashtra CM-Three more Maharashtra farmers end life-IANS

Nagpur, Nov 11 (IANS) As Prithviraj Chavan completed two years as Maharashtra chief minister, the number of farmersuicides this year rose to 624 with three more distressed peasants ending their lives Sunday, an activist said here.

"Despite Dhanteras and the upcoming Diwali, and Prithviraj Chavan completing two years in office today (Sunday), the gloom and despair persists among the debt-trapped farmers of the Vidarbha region. Three more such farmers have chosen to end their lives," Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti chief Kishore Tiwari told IANS.

The victims are Mangesh More of Virud village in Chandrapur, Champat Shendre of Junapani village in Wardha and Vasant Rathode of Kinhala village in Yavatmal, he said.

Chavan Saturday said that among the highlights of his two years in office was securing a Rs.2,000 crore aid package for the debt-ridden farming community.

The chief reason for farmers committing suicide is the failure of the main cash crops, biotech cotton in 4.20 million hectares and soybean in 1.80 hectares due to erratic rains and pest attacks for the third consecutive year, Tiwari said.

Besides crop failures, Tiwari said the cultivation costs had almost doubled due to the hike in prices of fuel, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and labour.

"Due to these factors, farmers have been compelled to offload their produce at virtually throwaway prices leading to heavy losses," he said.

"The government must provide an immediate bail-out, restore credit facilities, make provisions for the next cultivation season and until then arrange for food and health security to the farming community," Tiwari demanded.