Farmers demand Balangir as drought-hit district August 03, 2011 11:01:42 PM

BHUBANESWAR | Thursday, August 4, 2011 | Email | Print | | Back
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Farmers demand Balangir as drought-hit district
August 03, 2011 11:01:42 PM
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PNS | Balangir

Several farmers, led by president of Balangir district Krushak Mahasangh Sudhir Parischha, on Wednesday staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate demanding that Balangir district be declared as drought-hit.

The farmers submitted a 12-point charter of demands to the State’s Governor through the district administration. The demands include extension of Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) to all the 14 blocks of the district instead of the present eight blocks, supply of free seed and fertiliser to farmers for cultivation of Mung and Biri (black gram), action against the commercial banks harassing farmers for crop insurance, immediate payment of crop damage compensation and opening of tehsil office in each block.

The farmers also demanded payment of Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the family of a farmer who died while cultivating land.
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