Thousands of farmers, under the banner of Sambalpur Zila Krushak Suraksha Sangathan, gathered here on Thursday with their 13-point charter of demands, including Rs 300 bonus per quintal of paddy.
“Both the State Government and the Centre are worried for their employees, whereas they hardly bother about the farming community,” alleged Saroj, a farmer leader. He further demanded scrapping of the Seventh Pay Commission for the Government employees and constitution of a commission for the welfare of farmers and their families, as they are always at the receiving end.
“The country can never prosper without development of farmers. But they are always treated with step-motherly attitude by the Government,” he further alleged. “When the Government hiked the DA for its employees before the Puja, what did it do for the farmersIJ” he asked.
Other farmer leaders demanded adequate compensation for the Phailin-affected farmers. Due to the negligence of the Government, 2.80 lakh farmers, including 4,604 from the State, have committed suicide across the country between 2005 and 2011, they said while demanding a concrete action plan for the welfare of farmers.