Odisha farmers decry delay in insurance payment, stage protest

Drought-stricken farmers of Padmapur staged a protest outside the office of sub-collector seeking insurance pay out for the loss they have incurred due to drought in 2021. 

According to farmers there has been an unreasonable delay in providing insurance assistance to the drought-affected farmers. 

“Though we had drawn the attention of district administration several times in this regard, the administration has not done anything noteworthy apart from giving assurance to us”, said the farmers agitating under the banner of Borasambar Farmers’ Unit. 

Besides, they have threatened to launch ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ if their demands are not met. 

Farmers’ leader Ramesh Mohapatra said, “Though farmers of Padmapur suffered loss due to drought last year, we are yet to avail subsidy and insurance. We also staged protests several times last year but all in vain. As per government rule, farmers are entitled to get insurance in 45 days of drought.  Administration’s failure to address our problems prompted to launch the agitation. Today we have taken law into our hands. If our demands are not taken care of, we are ready to go to jail as part of our stir.”

Another farmer Ashok Sahu “After getting humiliated by the administration, farmers chose to deal with the issue this way. However, administration seems to have little interested in us.” 

Meanwhile, no Bargarh district administration officials were available for comments.