Farmers hit the road demanding water

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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BHADRAK: Farmers from Bhandaripokhari block in Bhadrak district, led by former State BJP president and Revenue Minister Manmohan S..

BHADRAK: Farmers from Bhandaripokhari block in Bhadrak district, led by former State BJP president and Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal staged a road block on NH5 on Friday. Protesting the State Government's alleged apathy to solving water crisis throbbing the region amidst a failed monsoon, the irate group paralysed traffic between Bhubaneswar and Bhadrak.
Scarcity of irrigation water, defunct liftirrigation (LI) points and limited availability of fertilisers topped their agenda.District Krushaka Morcha president Sankarsana Jena criticised the State Government for turning a deaf ear to the plight of the farmers here. "Nearly 70 percent of the LI points lie defunct while others have no power supply," Jena alleged.

Urging the district collector to hold talks with Nesco officials and restore power supply at the LI points, the protestors demanded immediate repairing of the LI points, continual supply of water through canals and pump sets to farmers at a subsidised price.