The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) youth wing and the Nikhila Utkala Gramina Chasi Mulia Sangha held their join executive meeting here on Monday under the chairmanship of INTUC youth wing president Satyabrata Nayak.
Speaking on the occasion, INTUC national vice president and State unit president, former Rajya Sabha MP, Ram Chandra Khuntia said that the various schemes of the State and Central Governments on farmers and agriculture are not giving any benefit to the beneficiaries and have only proved to be politically motivated.
As a result, the farmers are not able to get the due price for their produce while due to a nexus between the millers and officials of the Supply Department and Cooperation Department, the farmers are harassed and have to resort to distress sale, said Khuntia.
He also criticised the KALIA Yojana of the Odisha Government saying that it failed to end the sufferings of the small and marginal farmers. He also flayed various social security schemes which have failed to do any good to the beneficiaries.
Members from district and State levels participating in the meeting gave various proposals for the development of agriculture and welfare of the distressed farmers in the State, including formation of Farmers Welfare Board, irrigation facility to the non-irrigated land, cold storage at block level, minimum income of Rs 15,000 for each farmer family and Rs 25 lakh compensation to the kin of the farmers who committed suicide. Besides, there were demands to give priority to the locals in the jobs in the industries.
The members also threatened to start agitation to protect the interest of the farmers and workers in the State in coming days.
Among others, INTUC members Kishore Jena, Madan Dhal, Shyamsundar Mahapatra, Nirmal Samal, PK Das and Pranati Mishra were present.