The Zilla Krushak Sakti Sangathan conducted a rally on Friday at Khariar demanding that the Government declare drought situation in the district.
“More than 80 per cent of our crops have failed due to scanty rainfall. This will lead to huge loss and have an impact on our livelihood for coming two to three years. Hence, we demand the Government to declare Nuapada as drought-hit this year,” said the farmer leaders. The rally, consisting of more than 500 people, started from the weekly market of Khariar and reached to the block office covering a distance of 3 km. A memorandum was submitted to the Tehsildar of Khariar who was waiting in the block office to receive the memorandum from the farmers.
“The farmers have been severely marginalised due to the negligence of the Government. Two-third of the agricultural land still remains rain fed even after 64 years of independence,” said Sangathan convenor Sanjay Tiwari.
The farmers also demanded free electricity for irrigation, early completion of the construction of the lower Indra irrigation project, interest free loans for higher education of the children of farmers, construction of a barrage in river Udanti, establishment of an agriculture university at Khariar etc. A 19-point charter of demands addressed to the Chief Minister was submitted to the Tehsildar.