The farmers demanded pension and adequate sops from the Government at a district level farmers’ convention held here.
“Govt employees are paid salaries for work, politicians get pension even if elected for a term, defence personnel are also given all facilities even after they retire, but the majority of population who are farmers, in spite of doing hard work, lead a life of insecurity,” complained Akhaya Kumar, who is the State convener of Navanirman Krushak Sangathan.
Hundreds of farmers attending the meeting alleged about the apathy of the Government in providing agriculture loan, seed,
fertilizer and crop insurance etc. Although many farmers in the district had insured their crops in the last season, they failed to get any compensation after their crops were damaged due to
scanty and erratic rainfall. The Government has failed in making prompt
assessment of the crop damages, they said.
The Government has to increase the minimum support price for procurement of paddy and other agriculture goods, they demanded.
While 70 per cent of the voters are farmers in Odisha, why they will not be given pension and other benefits, they added. Farmer leaders Kulamani Jogacharya, Bhabendra Sahoo,
Trilochan Panda and Rabinarayan Sahoo dwelt at length the problems faced by farmers.
Some farmers also alleged regarding the irregularities in providing loan to only ruling party members, distribution of seed and fertilizer and bungling of funds in financing power tillers. A State wide mass agitation will be soon held, the leaders announced.