Odisha Congress holds Farmers Rally in Bolangir

Bolangir, Nov 7: Responding to the call given by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, a huge rally of people, workers, farmers was held by Congress party in Bolangir on Friday under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Narsingha Mishra. They demanded the state government over proper measures over the farmers’ suicide in the state and demanded to declare Balangir district as drought hit.

A delegation of Congress leaders headed by leader of Opposition Narsingha Mishra, MLA from Jharsguguda Naba Dash and former speaker Kishore Patel discussed with District Collector M. Muthukumar. During the meeting with Collector they raised the issues of defunct lift irrigation points in Agalpur block. Because of the apathy of the distrit administration the farmers have been suffering in the districts, they alleged.

NarsinghaMishra questioned why the Laxmijore Improvement work has not been started even though rupees 10.67 crores have been sanctioned and money has been lying with district administration and they submitted a memorandum addressing to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through the district collector.

According to memorandum, all the panchyats of Bolangir district including four municipalities and NAC to be declared as drought affected and provide insurance money and financial assistance to farmers.

Moreover all the farmers should be provided rupees 20,000  per acre and the agricultural loans should be waived. Moreover steps should be taken for  improvement all water bodies such as Sagar Katas Mudas and payment of compensation of rupees ten lakhs to the families of farmers who have committed suicide and restoration of Lift irrigation (LI) points and provision of drinking water in village and town area though tanker and tanks and the eligible people should be given Ration cards within two months.

District collector Muthukumar assured to take necessary steps in this regard. The input subsidy will be given to farmers from 10th of this month, Muthukumar informed further.

Later addressing a huge gathering of people, farmers  at Kosal Kala Mandal, Narsingha Mishra said “We want freedom from poverty. We want progress and prosperity. We want all the panchyat should be declared as drought affected and farmers should be given Rs.20,000 as compensation and those farmer who have committed suicide they should be given Rs.10 lakh.”

For the development of Bolangir, Agriculture University be set up her. The Railway wagon factory be setup at Kantabaji and steps should be taken for development of irrigation facility in entire district to improve production and remove poverty, said Mishra.

Any body who dare to oppose the process of development work in Bolangir, people will never excuse them, Mishra warned further. Among others Samraendra Mishra, Jharsuguda MLA  NabaDas, Sudhir Parischha, Bibhuprasad Tarai, Kishore Patel Ashok Nanda, Laxman Meher spoke on the occasion. Sri Ashok Nanda presided over the meeting.