*News

Farmers to play key role
OUR CORRESPONDENT
TIRUPATI:

March 4: Farmers in Chit-toor district are set to play a vital role in the forthcom­ing elections. The non-implementation of the MS Swaminathan Commis­sion's recommendations led to disappointment among farmers.
In 2006, the Commission recommended payment of 50 per cent additional amount on total investment, including labour, on the field. The additional amount is meant for main­tenance of the family.
Chittoor district, which mostly depends on paddy, sugarcane and milk, bore the brunt of its non-imple­mentation.
The Kisan Service Organ­isation, an affiliated body of the Confederation of Indian Farmers' Associa­tions (CIFA), spearheaded an agitation in the district, demanding that political parties include the imple­mentation of the Swami­nathan Commission's rec­ommendations in their manifestos.
The KSO functionaries have undertaken massive awareness programmes all over the district. Election mood had gripped farmers more when compared to the urban belt. Mango growers, tomato farmers and milk farmers in the district have become active with their crops in season now.
The KSO general secre­tary, Mr T. Adikesavulu Reddy, told newsmen that awareness camps were con­ducted for farmers in Srikalahasti, Tirupati, Chandragiri, Valmiki Puram and Punganur con­stituencies. In all, more than 500 committees at the village level are involved in the programme.