The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), an outfit fighting for farmers’ rights in the State, has once again threatened to launch a ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation from March 18 if its demands are not fulfilled.
The outfit held a historical Padayatra of around 20,000 farmers from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar on February 17 with the objective of price, prestige and pension for the farmers. The NKS also organised a Samavesh at the lower PMG in the State capital on February 18.
A high level committee of the State Government headed by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma had invited NKS members on the same day for a discussion, but no fruitful result came out regarding the Social Security Allowance (Pension) for the farmers.
“We have decided to start the indefinite fasting on this regard, at the lower PMG here from March 18, protesting the apathetic attitude of the State Governments towards peasants,” informed NKS State convenor Akshaya Kumar.
The budget would also be presented in the assembly on the same day. “We would give 10 days to the State Government to consider the demands, otherwise ‘Jail Bharo’ movement would be held on March 29,” he added.
The farmers’ body also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. They have been demanding payment of compensation to the relatives of the farmers who have committed suicide, implementation of pension scheme for farmers and higher minimum support price, etc.