Youth Congress Balangir lok Sabha constituency unit president Akash Mishra launched fast-unto-death on Wednesday demanding relaxation of the FAQ norms for paddy procurement for farmers of Balangir and Subarnapur as they are affected by the cyclone Phailin and need adequate compensation.
Mishra alleged that while the State has requested the Centre to relax the FAQ norms for farmers, why are the farmers still deprived of the benefit.
He further demanded input subsidy to farmers affected by 2011 drought, opening of Mandis at each level and steps to check distress paddy sale by taking proper steps to procure them. The farmers are yet to receive the compensation amount against their crop loss due to 2008 flood and drought in 2011, lamented Mishra.