Odisha farmers hit streets demanding price, pension, prestige

Bhubaneswar: Reiterating their long-standing demands for fair price, pension and prestige, farmers under the aegis of Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) took to streets in Khurda and protested the government’s callous attitude towards their demands.

Thousands of farmers from across different parts of the district and nearby areas congregated at Gita Bhawan ground and took out a rally in the town. Agitating farmers also gathered in front of the District Collectorate and staged a dharna.

Led by social activist and convenor of NNKS, Akshay Kumar and several other personalities including senior journalist Rabi Das, farmers alleged that despite repeated pleas, the government is yet to make provisions for their demands including Rs 21,600-crore allocation for social security allowance of farmers and appropriate price for their produce.

The NNKS has also submitted a memorandum in this regard to the district collector and warned that it will hit the streets of Bhubaneswar and launch a mega agitation against the government in coming days if their demands are not met.

"We have been raising our demands since last 8 years but the government has turned a blind eye. Now we have decided to take our protests to capital where 3 lakh farmers will storm the streets from October 29 to November 5 and the state government will have to bear the responsibility," said Akshay Kumar.