The Federation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural Association (FTAA) today sought the Centre to implement the M.S. Swaminathan Commission recommendations on agriculture produce, on the lines of Pay Commission for Government employees and also salary for Legislators.

What prevented the Government to accept and implement the recommendations by
Swaminathan, or for that matter by Committee meant for fixing the prices for agricultural
produces, when it without any hesitation implemented the Pay Commission and salary for MPs and MLAs recommendations, Federation Secretary, S. Nallasami asked in a statement here.

CACP (Commission for Agriculture Cost and Prices) was constituted for fixing the prices
of paddy, wheat and sugarcane. However, the Centre, without accepting its suggestions fully, implemented it with reduced prices, which was an injustice to the farmers, he said.

Stating that this amounted to a biased approach towards farmers who were the backbone of the nation, Nallasami alleged that both the Centre and State Governments were treating the
farmers as second grade citizens, reflecting their anti-farmer stance.

The Centre had formed a committee in 2006 under M.S. Swaminathan and both the
Congress and BJP Governments had kept the recommendations ‘in coma,’ showing
disinterest in the welfare of farmers, he said.

Once the recommendations (Swaminathan Committee) were accepted, there was
no need for freebies, subsidies, concession, loan or loan waiver and any IT exemption
to the farmers, who can live with prestige, self pride, without resorting to suicide.

Considering the welfare of the farmers, the Government should come forward and
accept and implement the recommendations, Nallasami said.