AIKS demands a special Kisan budget; calls on farmers to protest against the budget

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Mumbai : The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has expressed strong opposition to the Union budget presented in Parliament today. According to AIKS, the budget completely disregards the fundamental needs of the working class and farmers. Comrade Rajan Kshirsagar, President, Ravula Venkaiah, General Secretary of AIKS, Comrade Ashok Dhawale of CPI (M) and Vijoo Krishnan have criticized the Union Government for consulting Corporates and management organisations while neglecting to engage with farmers and workers unions.

The AIKS highlighted that out of the total ₹48.21 lakh crore budget, only ₹1.52 lakh crore has been allocated to agriculture. This allocation, representing a marginal 3%, is inadequate considering that 54% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. This significant disparity underscores AIKS’s concern that the budget fails to address the agricultural sector’s needs properly.

According to the AIKS, the government is attempting to centralize control over data and prevent multinational firms from manipulating it under the guise of digital infrastructure. AIKS claims that through agreements with global corporations, such as the ICAR Memorandum of Understanding with Syngenta and Amazon, the government has already begun implementing the controversial black farm laws.

The AIKS has criticized the government for not taking steps to establish a price stability fund in response to the falling prices of agricultural commodities. Despite the Kisan agitation’s consistent demand for a price stabilization fund of one lakh crore, the government has not acted on this. Instead, AIKS views this as an opening for the import of agricultural products, further impacting local farmers.

Mr. Kshirsagar stated that despite a ₹97,000 crore reduction in the Public Distribution System (PDS), this shortfall has not been addressed, potentially leading to empty warehouses and a food security crisis. Meanwhile, the government has granted significant financial benefits to corporats through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, amounting to ₹13.7 lakh crore. Additionally, farmers are experiencing a reduction in interest subvention on farm loans under the guise of the new cooperative policy.

The AIKS has criticized the government for neglecting the farmers’ demand for loan waivers, which has contributed to a rise in farmer suicides. They argue that the country needs a loan relief act, similar to what has been implemented in Kerala. Furthermore, AIKS claims that farm credit facilities have been diverted to agribusiness corporats and their agents, rather than benefiting the farmers directly.

According to Mr. Kshirsagar, there has been a persistent decrease in government support for dealing with natural calamities. Despite a quarter of India experiencing a drought, the states and farmers have not received the necessary assistance. He also highlighted issues with the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Insurance, stating that insurance companies took ₹18,000 crores during the drought year 2023–24 but only paid out 6% of the secured risk in reparations.

Mr. Kshirsagar has stated that the budget is reducing farm sector subsidies under the guise of promoting natural farming. Despite the provisions of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the budget undermines the right to employment by weakening the act’s requirements and favoring contractors through increased use of machinery.

Mr. Kshirsagar added that “The Union Government has chosen to attack farmers by undermining and destroying the Right to Fair Compensation Act 2013 in the name of infrastructure development.” He further criticized the government for circumventing constitutional provisions by rerouting several Memorandums of Understanding under the WTO. Additionally, he pointed out that the government has not addressed the suggestion made by the Swaminathan Commission for legal assurances with a C2+50% Minimum Support Price (MSP) pricing.

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) emphasizes the need for a special budget dedicated to farming and agriculture to properly address the issues and demands of farmers and the working class. AIKS will continue to advocate for a dedicated Kisan budget and has called on all farmers and Kisan Sabha units to protest the current budget and push for this special Kisan budget.