Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) chief Akshaya Kumar on Sunday began an indefinite hunger strike at his residence here to put pressure on the State Government to fulfil the demands of farmers.
Kumar demanded to know that though everybody else is getting allowances, why the Government is shying away from providing pension to the farmers for which Rs 21,600 crore would be incurred annually.
NKS State Coordinator Seshadeb Nanda said the Government has called a Ministerial meeting on December 7. It was decided earlier that deliberations would be held between farmers’ organisations and agriculture experts. But as there is no chance of discussions on implementation of farmers’ pension taking place, the NKS has decided not to be involved in the process and decided to continue with its agitation, said Nanda.
Earlier, Kumar had held talks with Finance Minister Sashibushan Behera. A Ministerial committee was formed and the Government promised to take all steps to fulfil the demands of farmers.
Later, the Finance, Agriculture and Cooperation Ministers held a joint meeting and discussed about the problems of farmers. But no deliberations were held in the meeting on allowances for farmers or their financial security. So, it is hoped that the hunger strike would put moral pressure on the Government, said .