Sambalpur: The farmers of Sambalpur district staged a blockade on Friday, protesting against the delay in disbursal of crop insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
They alleged that the farmers, who suffered crop losses in Kharif 2017-18, are yet to receive insurance compensation.
Traffic came to a standstill following the the blockade on NH to Baragarh, Hirakud and Sambalpur.
The farmers under the banner of Jayadurga Anchalika Krushaka Sangathan blocked roads at 17 places of the district from 7 am to 1 pm.
“We are going to face another drought in this year. There are many problems in PMFBY because of interference by private companies. They are also not following the guidelines of the scheme. We are demanding disbursal of crop insurance and declaration of drought in our area,” said a farmer of Sambalpur.
The farmers have also been demanding an increase in the MSP of paddy.
“We will intensify our agitation, if the government fails to fulfil our demands,” the farmer added.
