Himachal Kisan Sabha Condemns Budget, Calls it a Betrayal of Farmers

 Shimla, July 30 2024: The central budget has disregarded the federal rights of states, with the allocation for agriculture and allied sectors decreasing from 5.44% in 2019 to a mere 3.15% now, claimed Himachal Kisan Sabha, a leftbacked farmers organization. 

Compared to the actual figures of 2022-23, there has been a 21.2% reduction in allocation for agriculture and allied activities.

There have been no steps taken to ensure crop procurement at C2+50% prices in the interim budget, and no increase in funding for MGNREGA.

Despite the Finance Minister's claims of prioritizing agriculture, the reality is a zero priority for the welfare of farmers, workers, and the poor, with corporations being given preference.

The lack of increase in MGNREGA funding will exacerbate the crisis, leading to increased rural distress and migration, highlighting the insensitivity of the BJP-led government.

Himachal Kisan Sabha's Perspective on Himachal Pradesh:

As a mountainous region where agriculture is the main occupation, the budget should have included a special package for Himachal Pradesh. However, farmers have been left disappointed. 

Himachal's Hopes Shattered:

1. Increase the import duty on apples to 100%, currently at 50%, as apples are becoming a loss-making venture.

2. Reintroduce the provision of ₹1500 crores under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), which has been discontinued in recent years.

The current budget does not include any provisions for this, leaving the state government to provide a minimum support price of only ₹12 per kg for fruits under MIS.

3. Establish a minimum support price for maize, as around 7 lakh metric tons are produced annually in the state, but neither the Food Corporation of India buys it, nor are there any plans to set up processing units for maize in the budget.

4. Address the issue of 87% small and marginal farmers who are being compensated only twice the value of their land under the new land acquisition law, while they demand compensation at four times the value as per the 2013 land acquisition law.

5. Introduce a minimum support price for vegetable farmers, along with plans to set up processing units or CA stores.

6. Allocate funds to compensate farmers for crops destroyed by wild animals and stray cattle, and amend the Wildlife Protection Act to control these issues.

7. Provide a special disaster relief package for the severe rain damage to fields, land, and houses from last year.

The All India Kisan Sabha and the United Kisan Morcha believe that this budget is a step towards privatization and benefiting corporate houses. The agricultural crisis in India has been deepening over the years, and this budget will only lead to further destruction of agriculture.

Dr. Kuldip Singh Tanwar, President of Himachal Kisan Sabha, stated, "This budget has ignored the ongoing farmers' movement demands and the agreements made with the United Kisan Morcha.

"Therefore, all district, block, and ward units of the Himachal Kisan Sabha are burning copies of the budget in protest."