Pune farmers want easing of curbs on agricultural exports

Shetkari Sanghatana had organised a massive demonstration outside the Central Building on Monday to press for lifting of the ban on export of all agricultural produce, such as sugar, cotton, soyabean and milk.

The agitators were also demanding the implementation of the minimum support price for sugar announced by the co-operatives minister, Harshawardhan Patil, in December 2010.

Although the organisation had earlier announced the convergence of lakhs of farmers, only 400 farmers had turned up for the protest.
In order to prevent any untoward incident, a posse of police personnel and companies of the State Reserve Police Force were present around the building.

Ragunath Patil, leader of the organisation, indicated they will be agitating in front of Mantralaya, the state secretariat in Mumbai, if their demands are not met.