‘50,000 farmers to block roads in capital on March 25’

--Price, prestige, pension for farmers--

BHUBANESWAR: Protesting the State Government’s anti-farmer policy, over 50,000 farmers from more than 20 districts of the State would block roads from either sides of the capital city by March-end, said the members of the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) on Sunday.

NNKS president Akshaya Kumar told reporters that the State Government has failed to address the issues of the poor farmers. “The farmers need remunerative prices and bonus for their paddy and other crops and prestige to live with dignity. But what has the Government done for them within these years,” he questioned and said the Government is only trying to suppress the farmer’s voice.

The organisation would demand Rs 5,000 per quintal of paddy, Rs 300 as bonus on each qunital of paddy, besides pension of Rs 5,000 for each farmer. Kumar said various farmers’ organisations have been discussing with the Government to solve the farmer’s problems, but the Government doesn’t take any interest which compelled the farmers to stage protest in front of the Chief Minister’s residence. Kumar said that the police action and conspiracy could not stop the spirit of the peasants’ movement.

NNKS joint coordinator Seshadev Nanda said the peasants’ movement would be intensified at the grassroots level with the help of various farmers’ organisations across the State. The NNKS has already organised meetings at the district level during the last three months to deliver the message of the movement against the Government’s apathy towards the farmers, he added.

Notably, members of the NNKS had staged demonstration in front of the Naveen Niwas (the Chief Minister's residence) and tried to gherao it violating prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr PC. As many as 58 persons were arrested in connection with the case.