Kuruburu Shanthakumar, the chief of the State Sugarcane Farmers’ Association, expressed concern over the Karnataka government’s decision to increase diesel and petrol rates, highlighting its adverse impact on the farming community.
Government Policy Critique
Shanthakumar criticized CM Siddaramaiah for initially condemning the Union government’s fuel rate hikes but subsequently implementing similar increases to fund guarantee schemes. He accused the state government of becoming anti-farmer by discontinuing incentives for milk supplied by farmers and reducing the Kisan Samman amount.
Call for Action
To address these grievances and strengthen the farmers’ movement in South India, Shanthakumar announced a meeting of national and state farmers’ leaders in Shivamogga on June 24. The meeting aims to unite farmers and strategize ways to protect their interests amidst increasing challenges.
Impact on Farmers
Shanthakumar emphasized that the government’s decision to raise costs for essential services adds to the financial burden on farmers already facing multiple challenges.
