AAP gheraoes Cooperative Minister’s residence

Hundreds of sugarcane farmers led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) gheraoed the residence of Cooperation Minister Surjya Narayan Patro in protest against Government lackadaisical attitude in reoperation of closed sugar mills. 

Leaders said sugar mills at Balangir, Nayagarh, Badamba and Bargarh which have been closed for long can be re-opened and run profitably if the Government initiates steps with a strong willpower.

Hundreds of sugarcane farmer moved in a rally from the CRP Square to the Minister's residence in Nayapalli VIP area. The protesters sat on the street in front of the Minister’s house and demanded concrete action by the Government to re-open all the mills at the earliest.

Later, a four-member team went to the Minister and held a detailed discussion on the issue. During talks, the Minister rang the district Collector of Nayagarh and demanded a report on the unpaid dues of the farmers. He promised strong action against the absconding owner of the Nayagarh Sugar Mill and assured that farmers would be paid dues soon.

Patro, who is also Balangir District Planning Committee, told the representatives that the Chief Minister has given him specific instruction to reopen the Balangir Sugar Mill as soon as possible.

The Minister then came outside of his house and assured agitating sugarcane farmers that their demands would be seriously considered as the Chief Minister has already given him instructions to reopen the mills and pay unpaid dues to them at the earliest.

In its memorandum, the AAP mentioned that about one lakh sugarcane farmer families would gherao the Naveen Nivas in June if demands are not met by that time.