Gujarat farmers protest over electricity woes

Farmers here are protesting against the State Governments apathy towards the problems faced by them, particularly electricity shortage.

Porbandar (Gujarat), Aug 1 : Farmers here are protesting against the State Government's apathy towards the problems faced by them, particularly electricity shortage.

"We took out a rally to highlight the problems faced by us due to electricity shortage. Lack of electric supply is affecting our farming. If it continues, our crops will be completely destroyed," claimed Keshubhai Odedara, a farmer.

The protest smacked of political overtones, as it was supported by the opposition Congress party.

"We have tried to raise our voices but Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Power Minister Saurabh Dalal have not paid any heed to the problems faced by these farmers," said Ramdev Modhvajaya, Vice-President of the Gujarat Congress Youth Committee.

Many farmers in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab have committed suicide in recent years after being in debt due to crop damage and low crop output.

According to certain estimates, the death toll is over 1,000.

The Finance Ministry has estimated a growth rate of 2.3 per cent in farm production, with foodgrains production expected to touch about 210 million tonnes.

Agriculture accounts for less than 30 percent of India's 1.1 trillion dollar economy, but supports around two-thirds of the country's over 1.12 billion population.

ANI