The Bharatiya Khet Mazdoor Union (BKMU) State unit on Tuesday joined the nationwide strike against the Union Government’s apathetic attitude towards the farming sector and farmers by holding a demonstration in front of the Bhubaneswar Sub-Collector’s office here.
The agitators submitted a memorandum to the effect to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh through the Sub-Collector. The demands included implementation of a Central legislation for agricultural workers which would ensure a monthly stipend of Rs 3,000 to the agricultural workers above 55 years, provision of work of 200 days to the workers on a daily wage of Rs 300 under the NREGA scheme, stopping of demolition of slums in urban areas, distribution of land pattas to landless farmers, enhancement of Indira Awas assistance to Rs 3 lakh and supply of pucca houses to every agriculture worker.
“Even after 65 years of Independence, there is no Central legislation for farmers,” said CPI Bhubaneswar zonal committee secretary Sura Jena, whose party joined the BKMU’s nationwide strike call.
The strike was called mainly against the sky-high inflation rate and the increasing monopoly of corporate houses, said Jena. Nearly 100 agitators were arrested during the agitation.