KAILASHAHAR: The Kailashahar District Kisan Congress on Thursday submitted a memorandum containing a six-point charter of demands to the Unakoti District Magistrate, highlighting a range of pressing issues faced by farmers in the region.
Among the key demands, the organisation urged that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops be fixed at 50 percent above the cost of production, in line with the recommendations of the Dr. Swaminathan Commission. They also demanded that the state government ensure procurement of paddy directly from farmers, guaranteeing purchase of their entire produce immediately after harvest.
The memorandum further called for checking the continuous and abnormal rise in prices of diesel, petrol, cooking gas, and electricity, which farmers say has significantly increased their input costs. Demands were also raised for effective action against the steep price hikes of fertilizers, pesticides, and medicines used in agriculture, along with daily essential commodities, and for a halt to the supply of substandard fertilizers and pesticides in the market.
Additionally, the organisation demanded immediate financial assistance for rubber growers, vegetable cultivators, and paddy farmers who have suffered losses due to recent excessive rainfall, as well as the revival of defunct irrigation sources across the state to support agricultural activity.
The deputation was attended by Kailashahar District Kisan Congress chairman Ruhidas Saha, general secretary Arpan Thakur, Unakoti District Congress vice-president Rintu Lal Dev, candidate from Machmara No. 2 general seat Arjun Roy, Mahila Congress state secretary Sagarika Chakma, and BJP leader Uttam Chakraborty, among others.
The organisation urged the district administration to forward their demands to the appropriate authorities and called for prompt action, stating that the continued neglect of these issues was severely affecting the livelihood and economic stability of farmers across the district.