Under the banner of Odisha Milk Farmers Association, hundreds of aggrieved milk farmers protesting imposition of 5% GST on dairy products took out a rally and poured hundred liters of milk on the street here on Monday.
The farmers from various parts of the State led by association president Rabi Behera gathered at Master Canteen square and gave slogans against the 5% GST on milk products. They demanded immediate rollback of the decision. They also protested GST on puffed and flattened rice.
The farmers marched towards the Assembly where the police stopped them mid way. They also threw puffed rice, parched rice and flattened rice on the street. They warned the Centre of intensifying the agitation if the GST was not withdrawn.
They said while the price of essential commodities was rising everyday and the Government of India did not bring petrol and diesel into the ambit of GST, the imposition of 5% GST on the milk items would ruin the livelihood of common people. Around 9 crore family in India are going to be affected by the decision, Behera said.
Among others Narayan Dalua, Manas Mohanty, Swamprava Sahoo, Sneha Das, Bijaya Behera, Sudarshan Pradhan and Arun Jena were present. The farmers submitted a memorandum to Union Finance Minister N Sitharaman through the State Governor and Agriculture Minister.