Agitated over farmers’ plight and suicide, the Proutist Bloc, India (PBI) held a protest rally followed by a demonstration in front of the State Assembly here on Friday.
PBI activists from various States, including Bihar, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Haryana joined the rally held from the Exhibition Ground here to the Assembly via Ram Mandir and Master Canteen Squares.
Activists Dr Kulamani Nayak, Kedar Nath Sahu and Rajesh Singh said condition of farmers in the State has become most pathetic. “PBI had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister about two years ago highlighting the plight of the farmers in the country and Odisha in particular. The PMO had forwarded it to the Odisha Government, but no substantial step has been taken yet and the situation is worsening rapidly”, Nayak alleged.
The activists demanded that agriculture be recognized as an industry, farmers be given the right to fix the price of their produces, agro industries be set up near the place of production of raw materials and 100 per cent employment be given to locals in these industries.
The activists warned to intensify their movement for the farmers’ rights in coming days if their demands are not met.