Maneswar: Angry over the delay in claim settlement under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a Central government sponsored crop insurance scheme, a large number of farmers Thursday locked up state and Central cooperative banks at several places in Sambalpur district.
The employees of various banks had to return home failing to enter their offices and banking service was paralysed. Apart from farmers, other customers were also affected by the stir.
Even as the farmers have protested in a similar manner on several occasions, neither the insurance companies nor the government ever had paid heed to the issue, alleged the agitating farmers, adding, they were yet to get the money for the crop loss despite paying the insurance premiums.
The farmers locked Maneswar Cooperative Bank, Mudipada Central Cooperative Bank, Dhanupali Cooperative Bank and all other cooperative banks in Rengali, Redhakhol, Kuchinda, Bamra and Jamankira areas.
Several farmers under the leadership of Harishankar Purohit, a farmers’ leader, staged protests at Maneswar Cooperative Bank.
They held a meeting in front of the main gate of the bank. Hundreds of farmers of Batemura, Gunderpur, Sargipali, Gulunda, Chhatabar, Bhoipali, Chandamunda and Khandual took part in the protests.
Among others, district farmers’ union secretary Prakash Pradhan, Bidyadhar Pradhan, Govind Mishra took part in the agitation.
The stir would be intensified from Monday unless the administration concedes their demands, warned the farmer leaders.
Earlier, the farmers had locked up the offices of the cooperative societies for two days – Tuesday and Wednesday.
PNN