Terming the Naveen Patnaik Government as anti-farmer and anti-poor, a large number of BJP Krushak Morcha members on Saturday staged a protest at PMG Square in front of the State Assembly here by spilling milk and throwing vegetables on road and later held a meeting to register their discontent over distress sale of vegetables and milk by farmers.
Demanding setting up of more cold storages for preservation of farmers’ produces, the Morchs members raised slogans against the State Government accusing it of showing gross indifference towards plight of the farming community amid distress sale of vegetables and milk.
Speaking to mediapersons, Morcha State president Sibaji Mohanty said the protest was meant to expose the negligence of the Government towards farmers.
“The Government lacks a mission and a vision. There are no good storage facilities and a marketing system for sale of produces like vegetables; as a result, farmers are forced to sell tomato at a mere 25 paise per kg and brinjal and cabbages at Rs 1 a kg. Hence, the financial condition of the farmers is now in doldrums. They have no option other than committing suicide,” rued Mohanty.
He said milk farmers spend a lot on their cattle, but they sell milk at lower rates due to lack of storage facilities. The minimum sale price of milk should be increased to Rs 30 per litre, he added. The Morcha also demanded Rs 5-lakh compensation for the family of each of the famers who have committed suicide due to crop loss.