A massive demonstration of tribal farmers was held in front of Mohana Panchayat Samiti Office in Ganjam district on Friday demanding fair relief distribution and an impartial probe into malpractices in the relief distribution to victims in Mohana block.
The demonstrators alleged that the block authorities are hiding facts and figures relating to relief distribution. They submitted a memorandum to the block administration demanding a proper assessment of loss of paddy and corn crops and extend relief to tribal people in respect of forestlands given to farmers about which the record of rights (RoRs) have not yet been issued to the beneficiaries.
Former MlA Bharat Paik, BJP State ST Morcha president Antaryami Gamango, ZP member Uma Behera; BJP youth leader Sibaram Mahankud and Advasi youth leader Rama Raman Karjee led the demonstration.
Senior BJP leader and former Assembly Deputy Speaker Rama Chandra Panda alleged that a large number of farmers are yet to be enumerated in respect of their loss of crops on the mere pretext that the last date for such enumeration is over. He also urged the Government to immediately constitute agro societies for purchase of corn from farmers and extend interest-free loan to tribal farmers to save them from exploitation by middlemen. The tribal farmers should be given qualitative seeds free of cost for cultivation of horticultural products, he demanded.