MAPUSA
Accusing the BJP and the Congress of being hand in gloves in passing the recent farm bills in Parliament, the Shree Bodgeshwar Shetkari Sangh (SBSS) President Sanjay Barde on Tuesday said none of the three Members of Parliaments of Goa thought it fit to inform the Goans about the introduction of the farm bills.
“The protests organised by the Congress are just a cover up to gain sympathy of the farming community. The Congress is actually supporting the bill and has given tacit support to the BJP-led government at the Centre,” Barde lashed out.
The farm bills have become laws in the country after the President gave his assent to the bills on Sunday.
The president of Shree Bodgeshwar Shetkari Sangh along with Secretary Pundalik Kinalekar and other members was addressing a news conference in Mapusa.
Speaking further, Barde said the stance of the two BJP MPs was expected but the Congress MP of South Goa, Francisco Sardinha failed to take up the issue of the farmers in the Parliament or even outside it.
Censuring the Centre, he said the BJP was trying to cheat the farmers and rob their livelihood by passing the draconian farmers bill which has a proviso for contract farming.
“Powerful corporate investors will swallow poor farmers with unfavourable contracts which will be beyond the understanding of the farmers,” Barde said.
He further said the deletion of names of Mapusa farmers from the land use register clearly showed the intent of the State government towards the farming community.
“This BJP government is only using the Bhandari Samaj for their electoral interest, but fails to stand by those who are facing injustice. Has any of the BJP leaders who claim to be torch-bearers of Bhandari Samaj tried to find out the problems of Mapusa farmers?” he asked.
He said the farmers had approached Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Ryan Braganza with the hope that he would take up their cause, but he has failed to stand by them at their hour of need.
Barde said the MMC chairperson has promised some farmers that he would ensure their names were incorporated in the register.
“All such farmers who have been promised should see that their names are added before the term of the council ends,” he said.
Secretary of Shree Bodgeshwar Shetkari Sangh, Pundalik Kinalekar and a farmer Anil Kelkar also spoke at the news conference.
