BHUBANESWAR: Farmers, who are on a hunger strike near the
Odisha assembly in the state capital since Monday, will intensify their stir to impose pressure on the government to fulfill their demands including pension to farmers, waiver of farm loan and fair price on agriculture produces.
Around 200 farmers under the aegis of Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) continued hunger strike at Lower PMG on Wednesday. The farmer leaders said they will stage demonstrations on Friday in front of collector’s office in all 30 districts.
“As the state government is not paying heed to our demands, we will take our stirs to grassroots-level to pressurize the government,” said NKS national coordinator Akshaya Kumar.
He said farmers have been facing a lot of difficulties due to lack of government help.
“Now we will raise our voice till our demands are met. If the state government does not take any steps regarding our demands after March 16 dharna, we will decide our future of course of action to corner the government,” he added.
Seshadev Nanda, state coordinator of the farmer body, said the state government has not communicated with them within the three days of dharna. “The state government’s lackadaisical attitude has left several peasants in lurch,” he added.
Around 15,000 farmers had staged a rally near state assembly on Monday demanding allocation of Rs 21,600 crore in the state budget to make necessary provisions to pay pension of Rs 5,000 per month to 36 lakh poor farmer of the state.
They also demanded hike in minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to Rs 3000 per quintal from the current Rs 1550. The farmer organisation urged the state government to accept farmer suicide cases and help their family members.
Amar Prasad Satpathy, government chief whip, said his government is sympathetic towards the demand of the farmers. “We are doing our job. We will take necessary decisions regarding the issue in appropriate time,” he added.
Illustration for representational purpose
