A physically disabled father of two Suresh Chandra and a Faizabad-based doctor Ramjanam Verma were among the thousands who had walked for about 10 days to reach the Ghazipur-Delhi border to demand loan waiver, subsidised electricity and fuel, pension for farmers above 60 and implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.
45-year-old Chandra who lost his right hand in an accident depends entirely on farming to earn his living. Although he owns 10 bigha land, it would not be enough for his sons since, owing to the government policies which exploit the farmers more than serving them.
"My physical condition does not allow me to work as a daily wage labourer, otherwise I would have shifted my profession. The present policies do not allow us to earn to from farming. However, I am here to make sure these policies do not affect my children's future," said Chandra who had walked from Mathura to Delhi-UP border.
However on several occasions he tried to work as part-time employee with shops, but he could not. "Though I have trained myself to work with the left hand, everyone questions my abilities and refuse to give me a job," added Chandra.
Among the protests was Ramjanam who calls himself a full-time doctor and part-time farmer. The 46-year-old heart specialist fears for his 22-year-old son who has taken over farming. He would struggle to ends meet, he said.
"The government although claims to give good Minimum Support Price (MSP) but payment of arrears is due for months. We are yet to receive payment of our sugarcane yields," said Ramjanam.
Ramjanam too owns 10 bigha land in Faizabad, where his family usually sow sugarcane. "With the recent hike in electricity prices and late payments, I don't think I can continue farming for long," added Ramjanam.
from Daily News & Analysis https://ift.tt/2NhBW8r
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