The State Budget for 2025-26 by Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal on Friday is anti-farmer. The 50% increase in land tax will break the back of the farming community, which is already facing several problems, claimed farmers’ forum Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh.
A statement issued by the Mahasangh warned the government that if the 50% hike in land tax is not rolled back, the farmers will be forced to come out in protest. Various farmers’ forums will meet to decide on a further course of action.
A farmers’ meet to review the State Budget was chaired by chairperson Binoy Thomas. South India convener of the Mahasangh V. C. Sebastian presented a review of the Budget.
He said that there is no increase in welfare pension in the Budget, and no money has been set aside to deal with the wild animal attacks on farmlands. While forest and wild animal protection has been allotted ₹305 crore, no money has been set aside for the humans who are the victims of the wild animal attacks. This is an unfortunate situation, said Mr. Sebastian.
