AIKS nation-wide protests on September 1

TIRUPATI: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) will organise nation-wide protest programmes on Kisan Day, September 1, to press the government to concede its six main demands.Briefing newsmen on the deliberations of the AIKS national council meeting which is underway here, AIKS president Prabodh Panda said that it resolved to enlist the support of likeminded parties and farmers associations for achieving their demands and to fight against the anti-farmer policies of the Union and state governments.Their demands included interest-free credit facility to small and marginal farmers, pensions to all aged farmers, scrapping of the Land Acquisition Act 1894, enact a suitable farmer-friendly land acquisition Act, remunerative price for agriculture produce and a separate farmers welfare department and budget in the state and centre for agriculture.The AIKS will also launch a signature campaign across the country in support of their demands and submit the same to the President and the Prime Minister, Panda averred.Expressing serious concern over the farmers declaring crop holiday in East and West Godavari districts, Panda demanded the state government to take immediate steps to address farmers problems.“It amply reveals the sorrowful state of farmers in the Congress ruled state. The Congress leaders at the Centre should first set right burning issues in the states ruled by them'', he said.