Farmers’ body hold mass convention in state capital

Bhubaneswar: Thousands of farmers from different parts of the state attended a mass convention at Lower PMG here on Monday to press for various demands, including farm loan waiver.

Holding banners and shouting anti-government slogans, the farmers under the banner of Odisha Kruahak Sangathan Samanaya Samiti organised a meeting ‘Kruahak Adhikar Chetabani Samabesh’, where farmer leader Prafulla Samantaray took a dig at Narendra Modi-led Central Government and Naveen Patnaik-led State Government for their alleged failure to protect farmers’ interests.

“The Centre hiked the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy by a meagre Rs 80 though the Prime Minister had earlier promised to double it,” he said.

Members of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, West Bengal, also took part in the meeting.