Patna: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) functionary Rakesh Singh Tikait on Wednesday called on farmers in Bihar to launch a statewide agitation demanding fair compensation for land acquired by the state govt and the repeal of the state’s City Development Act, under which agricultural land has been acquired in several districts for the development of satellite townships.In a statement, Tikait alleged that the state govt had been acquiring agricultural land for urban expansion and infrastructure projects without adequately addressing farmers’ concerns. He said the issue had triggered resentment among farmers in various parts of the state.Referring to large-scale migration from Bihar, Tikait said the state’s farmers’ movement had remained relatively weak over the years. He urged farmers to unite and intensify their struggle for their rights. “To secure their rights, farmers will have to strengthen their movement. Those who have migrated to other states for work should also organise protests against land acquisition if they are not being paid adequate compensation,” he said.Tikait claimed that farmers’ interests had been weakened over the years, first through the abolition of agricultural mandis and market committees and now through land acquisition for development projects. “Farmers should understand the situation and be prepared to agitate for their rights,” he said.The BKU leader also demanded a farm loan waiver, implementation of the minimum support price (MSP) for all crops based on the C2+50% formula, and a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for farmers.
