Members of Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti (POKSSS) on Monday staged demonstrations in front of the Collectorates of 10 western Odisha districts protesting the State Government’s failure in tackling the drought that has resulted in the rising cases of farmers’ suicides.
Demanding adequate compensation to the kin of the deceased farmers and immediate remedies to check suicides, members of the Samiti staged demonstrations in front of the offices of Collectors in Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Subarnapur, Boudh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Deogarh, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh.
“The State Government is yet to wake up from its deep slumber. The Government has to accept the fact that farmers’ suicides are due to crop loss,” said Samiti convenor Ashok Pradhan.
He slammed the State Government for its faulty package for farmers and criticised ruling BJD MPs MlAs, spokespersons for their remarks over farmers’ deaths. Rejecting the Rs1,000-crore package declared by the Government, he said farmers have lost confidence in the Government.
He also rejected the Chief Minister’s announcement of water rent waiver.
He warned to intensify the stir if no visible action is taken at the earliest.
The Samiti has been demanding loan waiver for debt-ridden farmers, irrigation infrastructure for non-irrigated and publication of a Whitepaper on farmers’ suicide.