Thiruvananthapuram: A fast was organised by the Upper Kuttanad Independent Paddy Farmers’ Association in front of the Secretariat in protest against the non-payment of the amount of paddy procured from the farmers even after six months. It started on Monday morning under the leadership of the Upper Kuttanad Independent Paddy Farmers Association. They are protesting against the non-receipt of the full amount of rice taken by Supplyco even after six months of the harvest.
Farmers in Upper Kuttanad region had completely boycotted the ‘Farmers’ Day’ because the government failed to give the money before the 1st of Malayalam month of Chingam as announced by them earlier. But later on, even though the government repeatedly said that all the farmers would get the money in their accounts before Onam, only 28.5 percent of the amount was remitted in the farmers’ accounts.
Farmers, who have been grappling with various challenges such as securing their children’s education, are currently facing financial difficulties during the Onam festival. Paddy farmers in the Upper Kuttanad region are apprehensive that those who borrowed funds from moneylenders to commence their agricultural activities will have to primarily allocate their earnings towards loan interests once they receive the funds.
Vinu John, President of Upper Kuttanad Independent Paddy Farmers’ Association, Upper Kuttanad Agriculture Development Committee Chairman and Independent Paddy Farmers Association Vice President Gopan Chennithala, Secretary Suresh Paippad, Joint Secretary Thomas Koshy, Treasurer Vijayan Velu, Sam Cherian and Stephen Thomas are leading the hunger strike in front of the Secretariat on Monday, the Uthradam Day.
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