Farmers of Nuapada district led by the BJP Krushak Morcha hit the street again on Saturday demanding early declaration of drought and waiver of loan for the current agriculture season. Over 2,000 farmers came in a rally to the Collectorate, before which a meeting was held.
“The drought situation in the district this year is severe due to shortage of rainfall. The BJP Krushak Morcha has been drawing the attention of the district and State administrations to this situation time and again since July. Instead of taking a serious view of it, the Agriculture Minister has given an anti-farmer statement. We condemn such callous attitude of the Government and demand immediate steps to declare the district as drought-affected and waive farm loan.” said Morcha leaders.
A 15-point charters of demands addressed to the Collector was submitted to the Additional District Magistrate.
The demands included free supply of seeds of pulses, fertilisers and pesticides for the Rabi season, initiation of labour work to stop distress migration, payment of input subsidy of previous years, digging of deep bore wells in the land of farmers who have already deposited their shares under the lI scheme, payment of last year’s insurance for black gram, payment of bonus of Rs 300 per quintal, establishment of spinning mills and maize mandis, proper survey of horticulture, fish and dairy farmers and provision of compensation for loss due to drought and waiving of school and college fees of students.