The Paschima Odisha Krushak Surakhya Samanwaya Samiti on Sunday launched a ‘Chetana Yatra’ at Bargarh, known as the rice bowl of Odisha, and will go round the entire western Odisha.
“The Samiti has been opposing the neglect of the State and Central Governments to the farmers since long. Since the demands of the farmers remained unheard for years together, we got compelled for such a step,” said farmer leader lingaraj Pradhan.
“Even if the farmers are doing hard labour throughout the year, but hardly do they get the value of their labour. The result being they become unable to make both ends meet and hence, lead a very miserable life. At times, they also go to the extent of committing suicide which has become a very common affair in the entire country,” Pradhan said, adding that even farmers have to face police bullets when they try to highlight their problems.
During our Yatra to different places of the region, we will make the people aware of the negligence shown by the successive Governments at the Centre and the State. Farmers of different districts have also informed us that they would apprise us of their local problems and the harassment meted out to them during the harvesting season by different agencies, including the middlemen,” said Ashok Pradhan, another leader of the Samiti. .
The Samiti demanded implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee reports in letter and spirit, loan waiver, declaration most area which received less rainfall as drought hit, insurance benefits to the sharecroppers (Bhaga Chasi), reconsideration of water supply policy to the industries, amendment to the Pradhan Mantri Crop Insurance Policy, regulation of the functioning style of market yards and curbing distress sale. “The main aim of the Chetana Yatra is to put pressure on Governments,” lingaraj said further.
“After concluding the Yatra at Bargarh on October 15 at Bargarh, we will prepare for a ‘Chetabani Samabesh’ at the State capital on October 30, where thousands of farmers from all over the State will take part,” he said.
Eminent leaders of the Samiti, including Prafulla Santara, Arun Jena were present on Sunday at Sambalpur and put forth their opinion for the farmers’ interest.