People's Democracy

FLOODS AND DROUGHT WREAK HAVOC

AIKS Calls For Immediate Relief

The All India Kisan Sabha general secretary K Varadarajan issued the following statement on August 22, 2006

THE All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) expresses its grave concern at the drought and flood condition all over the country affecting the life of lakhs of the peasantry and rural poor. In lakhs of acres of land, crop losses to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees have occurred. The central and many state governments are not taking effective steps for proper relief.

The AIKS expresses its grave concern at the drought condition developing in Northern and North-East parts of the country, including Assam, North Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In many areas Kharif crop could not be sown and whatever were already planted, they are getting dried up. The situation in the North East, particularly in Assam is very grave.

A number of states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala etc. are reeling under the impact of floods. Hundreds of people have lost their lives. This pathetic situation of our agriculture and peasantry reflects the long-neglected water management policy of the various central and state governments.

The AIKS demands immediate relief to the flood and drought affected people. The central government should allot enough funds to the relief works immediately. It also demands that the central and state governments should give compensation to the poor farmers for crop losses. In the drought-affected areas, food for work programme must be taken up on a massive scale. Steps must be taken for supply of fodder for livestock.

The All India Kisan Sabha call upon its units to actively participate in helping the affected people by organising possible relief works.