Note ban has affected paddy procurement badly: Mamata

Ban on high-value notes has affected paddy procurement badly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday.

Addressing a gathering to celebrate Krishak Divas (Farmers' Day) at Nazrul Mancha, the Chief Minister remembered those who died in the Nandigram land movement on its 10th anniversary on Tuesday and said the state government was committed to protecting the farmers.

Nandigram epitomised Bengal's anti-land acquisition movement in the face of the Left Front government's bid to set up a SEZ developed by the Indonesian Salim group in 2007. The prolonged agitation led to the ouster of the 34- year old Left regime in Bengal, following violence on March 14, 2007, when 14 villagers were killed and several others were injured in police firing. As many as 75 farmers were given Krishak Samman and Krishak Ratna awards at the function.

"Ban on high-value notes has affected rice procurement very badly and we are trying hard to bail out the farmers," she said. It may be mentioned that the state government was sending departmental secretaries to different districts to expedite rice procurement.

The CM added that the state government was giving cheques to farmers who had come to the centres and had been allowed to sell for which rules have been relaxed.

"At times we have to change the rules to facilitate the farmers," she said.

Banerjee said her government had given maximum stress on agriculture.

"The government came to power through movements to establish rights of farmers in Singur and Nandigram and we have not forgotten the contribution of those martyrs. I had observed fast to protest against forcible acquisition of land by the Left Front government in Singur. We do not make false promises and have returned the land to the farmers in Singur."

She said centres had been set up to examine the quality of soil and this had helped the farmers to increase production. Moreover, the state government was paying the crop insurance and 32 lakh farmers were brought under Bangla Fashal Yojna.

The state government has made many schemes to help the farmers' children and said: "I want them to sit for a competitive examination conducted by the state and Union Public Service Commission," she said. Mati Katha, a portal, has been set up to answer the queries raised by farmers which have helped them immensely, she observed.

Banerjee said the state government had decided to buy potatoes from farmers which would be used in midday meal and anganwadi centres.

"This will help the farmers to get proper prices of potatoes. We will also give them subsidy if they want to send their produce to other states or other countries," she maintained.

Banerjee also urged people to preserve the waterbodies and greenery. "There cannot be any food if we do not preserve soil and if food is unavailable then development is not possible," she said.