Naxals declare revenge for farmer killings in Mandsaur
The western divisional committee of Maoists in Bastar have declared that they will avenge the killing of seven farmers in police firing. In pamphlets found at Tumnar road of Bijapur district in south Bastar, the Naxals criticised the killing and declared the launch of a movement against the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh. The pamphlets were distributed on Monday and banners declaring revenge were raised on Dwarkapuri-Barda road around 150 kilometres from Kanker district in North Bastar. The pamphlets were seized by Bijapur DSP Uneja Khatun and SHO of Kotwali, Vikas Baghel. The pamphlets declared that ‘long term revolution is the only way’ to solve the problems of the farmers. The pamphlets also demanded that minimum support price should be increased and that farmers' loans should be waived off. The Maoists of Chhattisgarh demanded that paddy bonus should be increased to Rs 400 per quintal.
Pickpockets have field day at two 'satyagraha's in Bhopal
When the Chief Minister went on a 24 hour fast after the killing of seven farmers in police firing in Mandsaur, Congress responded with a 72 hour satyagraha by Jyotiraditya Scindia. Both Gandhian protests were held in the name of farmers, but with the political motive of vote-bank appeasement. As activists thronged the two political shows, one at BHEL Dusshera Maidan for Shivraj Singh and the other at TT Nagar Dusshera Maidan for Jyotiraditya Scindia, the pickpockets had a field day. Nearly a dozen people reported their wallets being stolen during the two programmes. However, the maximum number of wallets were stolen from CM's satyagraha, while Scindia supporters seemed to have been spared. A journalist was heard saying, "Pickpockets know where to strike, Congress is in opposition in state for last 13 years".
BJP minister, MP fight on stage during an official function
Agriculture minister Gaurishankar Bisen on Wednesday clashed with Balghat MP Bodh Singh Bhagat at a function in Balaghat. The altercation, in front of television cameras, began when Bhagat, in his speech, termed Bisen a ‘chor’ (thief). Minister Bisen known for his unusual jibes, too, retorted, in full public gaze, with expletives. The verbal duel continued for few minutes, until security personnel’s of both the senior BJP leaders whisked them away. The audience had the last laugh as the duo fought in front of PM Modi’s banner stating 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'. The dispute between became so ugly that state BJP president had to summon them to Bhopal for an explanation.
Govt buys onions at Rs 8 and sells at Rs 2 per kg
The state government’s declaration to procure onions from farmers at Rs 8 per kg is becoming a problem for the food and civil supplies department, which does not have enough storage capacity to keep the huge quantity of onions. The state has, so far, bought over five lakh quintals of onion, which is lying in open. Procurement of onions is being done in 22 districts. But the government does not have storage options though monsoon is just round the corner. In order to meet this challenge, the government now wants to dispose the stocks as early as possible, even at low price. The government is already selling the purchased onion through PDS shops at a rate of Rs 2 per kg. The government has declared that it would sell the stocks to anyone who is willing to pay a higher price for it.
GST strike postponed
Businessmen and traders on Wednesday decided to postpone the strike over the implementation of GST. They are miffed over the complexities in the new tax system of goods and services tax (GST). The Malwa Chamber of Commerce and Bhopal Chamber of Commerce and Industries, which had called a bandh in city on Thursday, after talks with Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya, decided to postpone the strike. Earlier, the business and industry bodies decided to keep their businesses closed for a day to press the government for its demands. The bandh was planned in Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Satna, and Rewa.
Two more framers commit suicide
After five farmers committed suicide during last two days, two more took the desperate step on Thursday. In Chapalsar village, farmer Narmada Prasad Yadav, consumed poison after a private lender took away his Rs 45,000 which he got from selling his crop. Narmada Yadav had taken a loan of Rs 50,000 from a private lender. Police said that Narmada had come to mandi to sell his 12 quintals of tur dal. He was paid Rs 50,000 for his crop but the lender, who was waiting outside, took his money. Earlier in the day, In Binaka village of Shivpuri in Chambal region, another farmer committed suicide.
