Farmers lock down Kalampur Tehsil office of Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhawanipatna, Nov 14: 

Farmers led by local Sarpanch and Samiti Sabhya today locked down the Kalampur block and Tehsil office in Odisha’s Kalahandi district demanding compensation for crop loss due to drought.

As per the agitating farmers, there has been more than 50 percent crop loss in the block; however, compensation is yet to be disbursed. They have threatened to continue the agitation until their demands are met.

“I had taken loans against gold to cultivate paddy. Now that there is a drought, I don’t understand how I would possibly be able to pay back my loans and sustain my family. This is more or less the case with all other agitating farmers. We need compensation for the crop loss and will continue with the agitation till the compensations are paid,” said an agitating farmer.

The Tehsildar has agreed to do an estimate of the crop loss and send the estimate to the collector in the shortest possible time.

“They are demanding that the entire Kalampur Tehsil to be declared drought hit. I along with my team and revenue inspectors have already started an inquiry to estimate the loss. The preliminary report has already been submitted. We would submit the final report to the collector and next step would be taken based on the advice of the government,” said the Tehsildar of Kalampur.