NCP to organize mass farmers rally in Delhi on May 16

New Delhi, Apr 25 (ANI): The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is an ally of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre, has planned a mass rally of farmers in the national capital on May 16 to voice the problems and demands of the agriculture sector.

NCP General Secretary D. P. Tripathi disclosed this after the working committee of the party, which met here today.

The NCP has sought liberal policies vis-?-vis export of agricultural produce by the farmers.

"We are demanding from the government through this massive rally of farmers on 16 May, Wednesday, Delhi at Jantar Mantar. The ban on exports should be removed. When we have milk products in excess, when we have wheat in excess, when we have rice in excess, and the production of food grains has set a record in the nation's history," said Tripathi.

" Therefore, we have congratulated our farmers. But we demand that the prices of diesel, power and fertilisers should not be increased at all," he added.

Tripathi further said the NCP is committed to safeguard the interest of farmers.

"Of course, we are part of the government, but we are a different political party. As a political party this is our duty to demand in the interests of the farmers. The farmers' major demands are being raised by the NCP through this extended working committee," said Tripathi.

"And 16 May will be a massive rally of farmers in Delhi. We will mobilise farmers from different parts of India and make concrete demands," he added.

India's export policy on a number of commodities, including cotton and sugar, has witnessed several sudden changes of direction which reflects a wider malaise in the government, as it tries to keep momentum on policy in the coalition. (ANI)