Bhubaneswar: Farmers’ agitation seems to be aggravating each passing day with the farmers and the state government not reaching on a consensus over a meeting venue to discuss on various issues. While the farmers under the banner of Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) are not ready to leave the place of protest and want the discussion there, the state government has been asking them to come to table.
Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy said that the State Government is waiting for a discussion on the issue, but no representative from the farmers' body has turned up for the same.
Reacting to Maharathy's statement, NKS national coordinator Akshaya Kumar said it's not proper to have discussion in some other place leaving their protest spot. The concerned Minister should come to the spot to have discussion, he added.
"No one on behalf of the Agriculture Minister has informed me about the discussion. As per protocol, it's not appropriate to leave the Satyagraha place. We are ready for a discussion, if any concerned official comes to this place for the same," he said.
It may be mentioned here that for hundreds of farmers are sitting on a hunger strike at Lower PMG here for the last five days demanding pension to farmers, waiver of farm loan and fair price on agriculture produces. Taking their protest to grassroots level, the farmer leaders are also staging demonstrations in front of office of Collectors in 26 districts.