A State-level convention entitled ‘Protection of Sharecroppers’ was organised here on Monday to discuss various issues and demands of sharecroppers under the banner of the Bhumi Adhikar Andolan.
Social activist Prafulla Samantara said the agricultural sector and farmers are being neglected due to the corporate and MNC-friendly policy by both the Central and the State Governments. But both the Governments have been continuing cheap propagandas for the farmers with an objective to get their votes, he said, and lamented that the condition of the sharecroppers was very pathetic in the State. The leaders of the farmers’ organisations demanded identification, registration and recognition to all sharecroppers in the State. Samantara also said the sharecroppers are deprived of their justified access to seed, fertiliser, agricultural loan, crop insurance as well as minimum profitable support price for their produces. No fruitful law has been enacted yet to protect the interest of the sharecroppers, he added.
The State Government’s recent initiative to enacting a law for sharecroppers is doubtful. It will fulfil the interest of corporate farmers only, he criticised.
Earlier, a State-wide campaign in various forms in front of tehsil offices was held from May 14 to 17 demanding mobilisation of public opinion in a fair manner through Palli Sabha or Gram Sabha before enactment of any law on sharecropping or sharecroppers.
The members demanded collection of public opinions throughout the State before enacting any law for the sharecroppers in the meet. Senior journalist Rabi Das said the sharecroppers should be recognised through proper documentation and provision of identity cards. He also sought for special rules and regulations for the sharecroppers. He also urged the members to intensify the agitation.
Former Minister Panchanan Kanungo, Suresh Panigrahi, Ashis Kanungo and Narendra Mohanty of the Bhumi Adhikar Andolan spoke, among others. About 40 leaders of the All India People’s Forum, the lok Shakti Abhiyan, the Akhil Bharat Krantikari Krushak Sabha, the Odisha Krushak Sabha, the Akhil Bharat Kishan Sabha, the Chashi Mulia Sangha spoke on the occasion.
Around 500 sharecroppers and farmers gathered to decide the future course of action.