Hundreds of small, marginal and large farmers from different blocks in Gajapati district under the banner of the Gajapati District Farmers’ Association took out a rally here on Thursday demanding fulfilment of a seven-point charter of demands.
The rally under the leadership of MlA K Surya Rao and Sangha secretary Surjya Narayan Patnaik began from the Gajapati College Square covering the entire town. later, the farmers staged a demonstration in front of the district Collector office.
Their demands include declaration of Gajapati district as drought-hit, Rs 5,000 monthly package for farmers, whose crops have been damaged due to scanty rainfall, till completion of harvesting, waive of agricultural loans, etc.
The farmers also demanded that irrigation facilities be provided immediately to cultivable lands and Padar lands, qualitative seeds, fertilizers and pesticides be supplied in the ensuing Rabi and Kharif seasons to compensate the crop loss and due compensation be paid to farmers for Phailin and Hudhud cyclones.
later, the farmer leaders submitted memorandum copies to ADM Sunil Nayak addressing to the Governor, Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister and urged to take up the issues on war-footing basis. Besides, MlA Rao also warned to stage indefinite hunger strike in coming future if the demands are not fulfilled.