National
Farmers face Rs 2 lakh cr loss as Modi failed to implement promise: Union
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s failure to implement his electoral promise of 50 per cent profit above the cost of production has resulted in about Rs 2 lakh crore loss to farmers in the country this kharif season, farmers unions said on Thursday.
In addition, the government has failed to stop market prices from falling below the current Minimum Support Price (MSP) so farmers had to sell their produce at lower rates, even below the cost of production in some cases, causing an expected loss of Rs 35,968 crore to them, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella body of over 180 farmer organisations.
Addressing media persons here, the AIKSCC sought complete loan waiver and remuneration of 50 per cent margin above the cost of production as per Modi’s promise.
To press their demands, farmer unions have decided to hold a protest, Kisan Mukti Sansad, in the national capital on November 20.
Farmers leader from Maharashtra and Lok Sabha Member Raju Shetty said over one lakh farmers were expected to participate in the protest.
In last few months, AIKSCC leaders held several rallies across the country to unite farmers on these issues, saying there would not have been farmer suicides if the government had not “looted” them.
Farmer activist from Telangana, Kirankumar Vissa, said farmers must have lost Rs 2 lakh crore when their earnings this season, as per the the government data, were compared with the remuneration they would have got with the promised 50 per cent profit on the MSP.
AIKSCC leaders said farmers in Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh were forced to sell produce below the MSP, putting them under financial stress.
So farmers were in a dire need of loan waiver and proper remuneration, said Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India.
On November 20, a draft Bill encompassing the two demands will be introduced in the Kisan Mukti Sansad and it will be debated and passed by the farmers’ Parliament.
“We will invite the leaders of political parties and Prime Minister to come to the sansad if they are ready to support the Bill and the demands,” said V.M. Singh, convener of the AIKSCC.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.