Bhubaneswar : The Cold Storage Association of Odisha Saturday called off their one-month long strike after assurance from the state government. The state is said to have agreed on most of the demands of the agitators.
This comes after the meeting of the protesting cold storage operators in the state with the Chief Secretary and Secretary of Agriculture and Director of Horticulture.
“During recent meetings we were assured that all the seven out of eight demands are being proactively considered by the government. We were also informed that the delay in the implementation of the revival policies is caused by the ensuing state and central elections and the same will be processed and implemented as soon as possible after the election,” the association said in a media release.
It also added, “In view of the above development we are advised by the government to call off the ongoing strike. All the cold storages in the entire state were on strike since February 22, 2019. We extent our sincere gratitude for considering our demand and in anticipation that all demands will be implemented soon, we call off our strike.”
Some of the demands put forth by the association and reportedly accepted by the government include electricity subsidy at 50 per cent without any condition, credit linkage at low rate of interest for both term loan and working capital, seed production and distribution through cold storage promoters, formation of farmer producer groups through cold storages, development of research and development in potato production through cold storages and engagement of technical and qualified post harvest management staff.
According to the association, they were informed by the state government that as a short-term revival measure, 50% of electricity subsidy is being immediately extended to the cold storages for six years, interest subsidy would be extended once the matters is processed through the finance department. It added that the rest of the points raised will be suitably included in the long term revival policy of the cold storage positively in the cold storage policy, 2019.