Lakhanpur: Farmer leaders in various parts of Jharsuguda district are preparing for successful organisation of a farmers’ samavesh January 27 at Regali Bazar in Panchagan under Lakhanpur block.
Lakhanpur Krushak Sangathan has been making all-out efforts to gather farmers in large numbers to put pressure on the government to fulfil their multiple demands.
A preparatory meeting of farmer leaders was held under the chairmanship of Benudhar Bhoi on the premises of panchayat office Saturday.
Functionaries of the farmers’ body – Biranchi Sahu, Suresh Tripathy, Gopinath Majhi and Basudev Bhoi – spoke on the ongoing preparations for the meeting.
Renowned social activist and ‘Water Man of India’ Dr Rajendra Singh and farmer leaders like Ashok Pradhan, Lingaraj Pradhan, Saroj Mohanty and Niranjan Bidrohi are likely to address the meeting.
Lakhanpur Krushak Sangathan exhorted farmers to join the meeting in large numbers. The farmers’ body alleged that the government has failed to utilise fully the waters of the giant Hirakud reservoir for promotion of agriculture in the region.
One of the major demands of the farmers is that the state government needs to make use of this water to boost irrigation in 33 panchayats.
Farmer leaders felt the need for construction of barrages across Koili Ghogar, Ib, Basundhara, Telen and Bhedan to irrigate more areas in the district.
They also demanded digging up of new ponds and renovation of old ponds, dams, waiver of farm loans, implementation of recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission, adequate insurance coverage to farmers, hike in paddy MSP to Rs 2,930 per quintal, Rs 5,000 monthly pension for farmers, and setting up of a cold storage facility at Lakhanpur.
PNN