Farmers stage protest demanding loan waiver, input subsidy

Sambalpur: Hundreds of farmers under the aegis of Jai Kisan Adima Krushak Sangathan on Thursday staged demonstration in front of Bamra block office in the district demanding waiver of farm loans and immediate disbursal of input subsidy.

Even though paddy crops in several hectares of land were damaged due to scanty rainfall and subsequent pest attack last year, the district administration is yet to declare Bamra block as drought hit, alleged members of the outfit.

Though the farmers had informed Block Development Officer (BDO) about the issue, steps were yet to be taken for disbursal of financial assistance.

“We have been submitting memorandums to the State government for past three months. But no one is paying heed to our requests,” said Harapriya Patel, a farmer.

“We have been demanding input susbsidy and decalartion of the block as drought-hit. We will intensify our agitation in coming days as we have only received assurances from the district administration which is yet to act on our demands," said Khatunath Ping, farmer leader.