Policy loaded against small farmers

Newindpress, 20th March, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: The agricultural policy announced by the State Government came in for sharp criticism in the Assembly. Members cutting across party lines demanded the policy be reviewed as it was heavily loaded against small and marginal farmers.The announcement of providing 30,000 diesel-run pumpsets to farmers of Kalahandi, Balangir, Koraput (KBK) districts, Western Orissa Development Corporation (WODC) and Tribal Area Sub Plan (TASP) during the next three years was the focus of the members’ ire.The issue cropped up during discussion on the admissibility of an adjournment motion. Members demanded that the Government revise the Central guidelines and lift restriction on purchase of pumpsets by the farmers.The opposition from the members was on two counts. First, diesel pumpset of one/two hp power is not available. And it is very difficult to move bigger ones from one field to the other. Besides, the bigger pumpsets cost Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000. Even if the Government gives subsidy of Rs 5,000 for each pumpset, it will be impossible for the small and marginal farmers to arrange rest of the money.The members demanded that small pumpsets which can be run by kerosene, petrol or batteries should be allowed to be purchased by the farmers under the scheme. They alleged that bigger pumpsets will eventually be sold to the trawler owners and will be of no help to the farmers.There were heated exchanges over the issue between Arun Dey (NCP) and Agriculture Minister Surendra Nath Nayak. Dey alleged that by closing down the Orissa Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC), the State Government has broken the backbone of the marginal and small farmers.The scheme announced by the State Government has no takers and not a single big pumpset has been purchased by the farmers, he said. Nalini Kanta Mohanty (Cong) and Ramesh Chandra Chau Patnaik (BJD) maintained that small pumpsets are needed for the farmers. Pradip Maharathi (BJD) demanded that the policy should be changed after discussion with the Chief Minister.Making a statement, the Minister, however, said a provision of Rs 2.5 cr has been made in the 2007-08 supplementary budget. Applications have been collected from the interested farmers from the farmers’ assistance centres at the blocks.Stating that kerosene available through public distribution system (PDS) is not meant for running of pumpsets, the Minister said there is no facility for sale of non-PDS kerosene in rural areas.Observing that the scheme was not meant only for small and marginal farmers, Nayak said the State Government will consider providing kerosene for running of pumpsets separately if there is a proposal from the members.