Ranchi: With only 58 mm of rain recorded
as against the normal 330 mm at this time of the year, major
political parties today demanded Jharkhand be declared
famine-hit and a special financial package to protect the
farmers.
"As per the official records, a meagre 2.78 per cent
sowing could be taken up across the state following the
deficit rainfall while it is almost zero per cent in places
like Sareikela and Garhwa," Jharkhand Vikas Morcha
(Prajatantric), Principal General Secretary, Pradip Yadav,
told a news conference here.
"We demand Jharkhand to be declared as famine-hit and
make provision for a special economic package to save farmers
from distress," he said.
Party chief Babulal Marandi, he added, would sit on a
day-long fast at Mohrabadi ground to attract the Centre's
attention to the problems faced by the farming community.
In a similar demand at a separate press meet, the
RJD's state unit secretary, Girinath Singh, said the party
would stage a day-long dharna on July 31 near Raj Bhavan to
realise their demand.
BJP spokesman Sanjay Seth demanded 'waiver of loans
with immediate effect...even last year drought was declared in
some districts of the state'.
The CPI (ML-Liberation), secretary, Janardhan Prasad
said "By now, the administration should have started
distribution of relief measures to the farmers."
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 17:53