Sambalpur, Jul 20 (FN Representative) Ruling BJD Sambalpur district unit today organised a protest dharna over the callousness of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in lifting rice. Several party leaders including MLAs and former MLAs, senior leaders of the state and district and a large number of farmers participated in the agitation. The leaders sat on dharna in front of the regional office of the FCI here and its two godowns at Hirakud and Kantapali expressing their resentment against anti farmer activities of FCI.
They demanded the FCI to purchase of surplus rice beyond 7 lakh metric ton, payment of pending dues of Rs. 6570 crore to the state, supply of adequate jute bags for packing of rice, allowing plastic bags and relaxation for FAQ (fair average quality) standard of paddy during untimely rain in harvesting season like current year. Former MLA Dr. Raseswari Panigrahi said the BJP which has been accusing the state government for not procuring paddy from the farmers, chose to ignore the FCI not lifting the rice from the farmers. The leaders warned FCI to refrain from such anti farmers activities.