Latest news with #KPRS
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
KPRS to hold protest in Bengaluru on Aug. 21 demanding cancellation of BMIC project
The Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS), State committee, Bengaluru, has announced a protest on August 21 at Freedom Park in Gandhinagar, urging the State government to take immediate action to safeguard farmers' rights and address long-standing grievances linked to the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project promoted by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE). The key demands of KPRS include a complete ban on the NICE from undertaking any work in Karnataka, immediate cancellation of the BMIC project, among others. KPRS has raised concerns over the recent move by the State government to appoint an advisory committee in partnership with NICE. Farmers' representatives argue that this decision threatens to revive the BMIC project, an initiative long mired in allegations of irregular land acquisition and lack of transparency. Last year, Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar proposed the idea of building another highway to connect Bengaluru and Mysuru by reviving the BMIC promoted by NICE that had run into a controversy over allegations of acquiring excess land.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers, workers rally in Mysuru against ‘corporate takeover' of agriculture
Scores of farmers and activists under the banner of Samyukta Horata Karnataka took to the streets of Mysuru on Wednesday, protesting what they called a systematic 'corporate takeover' of agriculture, rural markets, and public services. The rally, jointly organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Karnataka Pranta Raitha Sangha (KPRS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and several allied organisations, began with a march through the city and culminated in a public meeting. The organisers alleged that the plight of the working class had become difficult under the current dispensation which was pursuing the policy of promoting both communalism and encouraging corporate culture. Mr. Jagadish Surya, of KPRS said both the Union and State governments were actively enabling multinational corporations (MNCs) and large domestic corporates to dominate every stage of agriculture — from seed production to procurement, storage, transport, and retail trade. The Samyukta Horata Karnataka activists called for abrogating National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing citing concerns that it was an attempt to help the multinationals. The agitating activists also warned that such policies would privatise farming, push small cultivators into debt, and weaken national food sovereignty. The protesters strongly opposed the corporatisation of farmers' producer organisations (FPOs), contract farming arrangements, and public–private partnership (PPP) models in agriculture. They argued that such policies undermine traditional farming practices, marginalise smallholders, and increase dependency on corporate-controlled supply chains. Other key demands raised by SHK legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and assured government procurement of crops; complete waiver of farm loans, relief from microfinance companies while it opposed forcible land acquisition from farmers, and privatisation of power sector etc. The Samyukta Horata Karnataka activists raised slogans against the government and demanded that the MNCs 'quit India'. CITU general secretary G. Jayaram, and others were present.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers stage protest seeking scientific MSP as recommended by Swaminathan panel
Activists of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Wednesday putting forward various demands. Speaking at the agitation site, district president of the KPRS Sharanabasappa Mamshetti criticised the BJP-led Union government for its reluctance to fix Minimum Support Price (MSP) as calculated by the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) headed by M.S. Swaminathan. 'Our main demand is 50% MSP above the comprehensive cost of production (C2 + 50%) as recommended by the Swaminathan commission. The Union government has to take a decision. Unfortunately, the BJP-led Union government, which talks volumes about doubling farmers income, is reluctant to implementing the Swaminathan report,' Mr. Mamshetti said. The agitating farmers raised slogans against both Union and State governments for their anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies. 'There is no major difference between the BJP-led government at the Centre and the Congress government in the State when it comes to farm policies. The Union government is allowing imports of pulses with little or no import duty. If that happens, local pulses producers cannot compete with foreign pulses which are sold at much cheaper prices,' Mr. Mamshetti said. The agitating farmers also criticised the governments for withdrawing subsidies on fertilisers and delays in releasing crop insurance to the tune of ₹315 crore.
