Farmers protested in Berhampur and Borigumma against government apathy towards drought relief and debt burden of poor peasants in the State.
In Berhampur, All India Kishan Mazdoor Sabha organised a demonstration in front of office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner. In Borigumma block of Koraput district, members of Borigumma Krushak Manch blocked NH-26 near Aaunli village. Dabugaon MLA Bhujabala Majhi, Kotpad MLA Chandrasekhar Majhi and former Congress MP of Nabarangpur Pradeep Majhi took part in the road blockade and protests. With dried paddy plants in hand, they blocked the highway and shouted slogans against the government.
AT Berhampur, the protestors handed over a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister at the office of the RDC. National committee member of the organisation, B.C.Sarangi said despite tall claims by state government only 20 per cent of agricultural land in Odisha was under irrigation while the rest depended on rain, which was root cause of plight of farmers.
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Their demands included Rs 10 lakh compensation for families of peasants who have committed suicide due to debt burden and crop loss, increase land under irrigation in Odisha to at least 60 per cent, Taking measures so that during crop loss farmers could be get compensation of at least Rs 10,000 per hectare. They also want legal status for share croppers in Odisha and compensation for crop loss to tribals who have received land rights in recent past under Forest Rights Act. The demonstrators in Borigumma block also had similar demands along with demand to declare Koraput district as drought hit.