Sambalpur: At a time when various farmers' organisations have resorted to a country wide 'Chaka Jam' protest against Centre's three farm laws, a section of farmers in Western Odisha has come forward in support of the new legislations.
Shreelaxmi Krushak Surakhya Sanghthan, a regional farmers' outfit in western Odisha came in favour of the new laws. The outfit said that had the new farm laws been implemented, the paddy procurement issue at Mandis could have been resolved by now.
"New farm laws have come up to safeguard the interest of farmers. The legislations will only cause harm to the middle men, but not the farmers. Had these laws been implemented at the earliest, sacks of paddy would not have piled up at different Mandis now. Various issues at the procurement centres could have been resolved smoothly," said Prasanta Panda, advisor of Jamankira Shreelaxmi Krushak Surakhya Sanghthan.
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Notably, various farmers' unions have called for a road blockade on all national and state highways for three hours on Saturday, from 12 pm to 3 pm protesting Internet ban near their protest sites, alleged harassment by authorities and other issues. They said they will provide food and water to people stuck in jams.
The fresh move of farmers for a 'Chaka Jam' came in protest against fortification of protest site with iron nails.
On the other hand, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in Parliament that none from the protesting parties or their sympathisers can point out any flaw in three farm laws. The government has made efforts to double the income of farmers through market-friendly laws, he said.