SSS chief to undertake 9-day-long ‘Jagar Yatra’ from Oct 7 on FRP issue

Kolhapur, Sep 29 (UNI) Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) national president Raju Shetty announced on Wednesday that he would undertake a nine-day-long ‘Jagar Yatra’ from Oct 7-15 to create awareness among farmers on contentious FRP (fair and remunerative price) issue.

Briefing reporters about his proposed Yatra agitation, he said he would commence the Yatra on first day of Navratri festival on Oct 7 at Wadi-Ratnagiri after seeking blessings of ‘Dakhhancha Raja Jyotiba’ (Lord Jyotirling) and it would conclude on Dasara festival day on Oct 15 at Jejuri.

The Yatra would pass through the sugarcane belt, raising awareness on FRP issue and also about delay in the government’s aid to flood-affected farmers, he informed.

The farmers’ leader claimed that the central and state governments were trying to give FRP amount in three installments on recommendations of the Niti Commission and Agri Price Commission.

However, farmers would foil this alleged conspiracy of the central government, he asserted and said that the state government has failed to give financial aid to flood-affected farmers.

“During the Yatra, we would create awareness on these issues among the farmers by organising rallies on the Yatra route,” he said.

Taking an assertive stance on giving financial assistance to flood-affected farmers, Mr Shetty warned the government that if flood-affected farmers did not get financial help before Dasara festival, then they would not allow state ministers to celebrate Diwali festival.

Asked about BJP’s agitation on Thursday before Sugar Director’s office in Pune over FRP issue, the SSS chief noted that it is just a sham because the central government had divided FRP amount into three installments.
“The BJP workers will not agitate against its own government at the Centre,” he added.