The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), a body fighting for farmers’ cause, started a two-day march from Cuttack to State capital on Wednesday protesting the apathetic attitude of the State and Central Governments towards peasants.
Around 5,000 farmers from various parts of the State, mostly from Western Odisha participated in the rally that started from the Cuttack railway station.
The farmers would hold a large demonstration at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg in front of the State Assembly here on Thursday to press for their long pending demands such as payment of compensation to kin of farmers that committed suicide, implementation of pension scheme for farmers and better procurement facilities etc.
Around 20,000 farmers from across the State would participate in the convention, informed NKS State coordinator Akhaya Kumar.
During the convention, the issue of farmers’ right on land, water and forest would also be raised. The Sangathan has been demanding allocation of `21,600 crore towards pension for nearly 36 lakh farmers’ families in the State, which is one fourth of the State budget, informed Kumar.
“If the Government fails to fulfil our demand, we would stage a Jailbharo Andolan,” Kumar added.