Traders, BJP to protest Maya's contract farming

MUZAFFARNAGAR: The traders have called for closing down of all the mandis in western Uttar Pradesh on August 14 to protest against the contract farming announced by Mayawati Government.

All mandis in western districts of the state will remain closed on August 14 and protest rallies will also be organised at all the district head quarters on August 9 to oppose the proposed contract farming by the state government, Lalit Maheshwari, spokesman of Western Uttar Pradesh Udyog Vyapar Mandal said .

Meanwhile, state wing of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has also decided to protest the state government's move. The deputy leader of BJP in the state assembly and former minister Hukum Singh has announced that his party would stage demonstration in Delhi on August 20 against the proposed contract farming.

"Contract farming is against the farmers and our party would oppose it," Singh said.

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) has also opposed the state government's new agriculture policy and has threatened of agitation.