from Manasi Bhat (AF/MB)

Kaup, Sep 28: Naxal problem can be solved only by bringing rural development project federations into practice, said district journalists' association vice-president Jitendra Kundeshwar.

He was speaking at the annual meeting of the Shri Dharmasthala Rural Development Project and self-help groups held at Karandadi Sri Rama Higher Primary School on Sunday September 24.

Farmers belonging to the rural development project can live an independent life. If this project had been implemented in villages years ago, the Naxal problem would not have taken root, he said. Farmers have been taking loans to access new farming methods like artificial fertilizers and pesticides and have been committing suicide owing to inability to repay the loans. With the implementation of organic agriculture project, this problem can be solved, he said.

The programme was inaugurated by social worker K Leeladhar. Gram Panchayat president Subrahmanya Aithal presided. Karandadi school headmaster Nirmal Kumar Hegde and others were present.

K Leeladhar Shetty, a social worker of Mumbai Kannada Sangha, was felicitated on the occasion.

Federation president Krishna Rao welcomed the gathering.