Open maize procurement centre in Shiggaon or face protest: Bommai

BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has warned of an intense agitation if a maize procurement centre is not opened in Shiggaon at the earliest.

Addressing protesting farmers on the Tahsildar’s office premises in Shiggaon on Monday, Mr. Bommai said that it must be decided whether the power of farmers is greater than the authority of the State government.

“I have always stood with farmers in the past and I will continue to stand with them till the end of my life,” he said.

Mr. Bommai said that nearly 80% of farmers in Shiggaon taluk have cultivated maize and farmer organisations are demanding a fair price purely in the interest of farmers.

He said that some vested interests are trying to politicise and dilute the agitation.

“Do not worry about such attempts. Let us fight by keeping in our hearts the image of the farmer who works hard in the fields. Farmers do not belong to any political party. All political parties instead depend on farmers for power,” he said and promised that he stands firmly with the farmers of Shiggaon.

Mr. Bommai said that now that the Union government has announced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize, it is the responsibility of the State government to procure crops from farmers.

He criticised the State government for holding meetings only for settling problems of sugarcane growers but ignoring maize farmers spread across nearly 20 districts.

“The State government claimed it will procure 10 lakh tonnes, while maize is cultivated on 16 lakh hectares, producing about 54 lakh tonnes. Farmers are in financial distress, yet ethanol companies are buying maize through middlemen instead of directly from farmers. This clearly shows whose interests the State government is protecting,” he said.

He demanded that the Tahsildar immediately submit a report and announce a date for opening a maize procurement centre in Shiggaon. He threatened of an intensive protest if this is not done.