Thousands of farmers under the banner of the Rushikulya Rayat Mahasabha took out a rally and staged a demonstration in front of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern) office here on Monday protesting the never-ending farmer suicides in the State.
later, a group of the body led by its president Trinath Biswal and secretary Simanchal Nahak submitted an 11-point charter of demands to the RDC.
Expressing serious concern over the increasing trend of farmer suicide in the State, the body members held the State Government’s anti-farmer policy responsible for the tragedy.
“In order to achieve the legitimate demands, the farmers need to be united and raise their voice fearlessly against the anti-farmer’s policy of the State Government,” said Western Odisha Farmers’ Coordination Committee convener lingaraj, adding “let the State Government show its courage to admit the rising trend of farmer suicides in the State”.
Odisha Chasi Surakshya Abhiyan convenor Rabi Rath pressed for new legislation, if necessary, to provide all facilities and welfare schemes for sharecroppers. He further alleged that even after two years of the cyclone Phailin, more than 50,000 affected farmers are yet to get compensation from the Government.
The demands include an early assessment of crop loss at block and panchayat levels and payment of compensation, declaration of complete drought-hit of the lands affected by droughts, cent percent irrigation facilities to all lands, early completion of all incomplete and pending irrigation projects in Ganjam district, necessary pro-farmers legislation for providing security to their lives and crops. Among others, State lokashakti Abhiyan president Prafulla Kumar Samantaray and BJP youth leader Bibhuti Jena were present.