Hundreds of activists of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) staged a mass fast at the lower PMG here on Tuesday to draw attention to the plights of farmers in the State.
loan burden and crop failure have pushed farmers to commit suicide in different districts. But the Government is not taking any effective steps to combat drought and protect farmers, said NKS members.
The affected farmers must get adequate compensation,” demanded NKS State coordinator Akshaya Kumar.
NKS State co-coordinator Seshadeb Nanda said, “Our demands for the farmers are an effective marketing system, cold storage facility, provision of seed and fertiliser and food processing units.” The Government should take steps to ensure all this, he added.
An additional monthly bonus of Rs4,000 should be given to the drought-affected farmers till next harvest, Nanda said.
Among others, NKS members Umakanta Bharat, Rashmi Ranjan Swain,Nimain Charan Ray, Dr Kulamani, Ramakanta Jena, Durgaprasad Das, Dhananjaya Jena and Manwar Alli were present.