Claiming that the second phase Janjagaran Yatra received overwhelming response in Nabarangpur and Nuapada districts, PCC chief Prasad Harichandan on Monday said the party would gherao all block offices onNovember 6 in protest against farmer suicides and State Government’s negligence.
“Public meetings addressed by party leaders witnessed impressive public gatherings on roadsides in Nabarangpur and Nuapada districts. The meetings were held successfully,” Harichandan said at a Press conference here. He thanked common people for their support to the yatra.
He said the Congress demands a compensation of `20,000 per acre of crop loss and `10 lakh as ex-gratia to the family of each deceased farmer, who have committed suicide for crop loss and loan burden.
Harichandan alleged that the BJP-led Government at the Centre and the BJD Government here are anti-farmers. “Even though farmers are committing suicides due to crop loss and loan burden, the State Government is yet to accept the truth and has remained silent,” he alleged.
Harichandan too alleged that Collectors of the drought-hit districts have submitted fabricated reports under Government pressure and attributing ‘other reasons’ to farmer suicides.
He further said the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has sked the State Government to submit an action taken report latest by December 2 basing on the allegations raised by him on farmers’ suicide.
He said his party activists would gherao all block headquarters on November 6 to protest farmers’ suicide and make people aware of ‘corruption practices’ of the BJD Government.